The gods were partial

Afcon 2012 waited till the very last day and the very last match to produce its best match.

It was like a great movie – full of excitement, suspense and drama. After 120 minutes the two final teams could not be separated. Then the gods intervened. 'Arrogant' football analysts had to be taught a lesson in humility.

Those who stuck out their necks and made predictions that did not suit the mood of the final chapter of the championship had to be humbled. For example, I had proclaimed before the start of the championship that I had peered into the future and seen Ghana and Ivory Coast in the finals.

So, my prediction was slightly off the mark, with Zambia not only deservedly qualifying for the finals but also going on to win it. I have my consolation though – the gods are to blame. It is only them who could have made me eat my words, as gods are not meant to be partial or to take sides in an ordinary game between two of their own where the better of two teams should always win.

Instead, last Sunday night, they conspired with the elements, danced to the music of sentiments and emotions, and produced a final match that could not have been better scripted for its drama, excitement and unexpected ending.

In 120 minutes, the world was treated to champagne football; a breathtaking performance put up by the two finalists. On the night though, Ivory Coast (who had slightly better goal scoring chances) were not rewarded. Remember that they also had better records than Zambia in the history of the championship and better results in this particular championship up till the final match. Ivory Coast were so good that any other result but defeating Zambia and winning Afcon 2012 would have to be considered an upset.

Even the 12 million Zambian 'army' of supporters had only hoped rather than truly believed that their team would win the championship trophy. So, they turned into prayer warriors.

I had always thought that no country prays like Nigeria. It is not uncommon to see Nigerian players even fasting and praying days before matches. I think Zambia must have taken a cue from Nigeria. I am told that the entire country went into a frenzy of prayer and fasting as the final match approached.

Fuelled by the tragedy of 1993, there had been a build-up of powerful emotions and sympathy for the Zambians. On the eve of the finals the Zambian players paid an emotional visit to the site of the crash and where the remains of the players were buried, evoking their spirit to come to their support. The final match was, therefore, set against the background of this sentimentally and emotionally charged atmosphere.

The elements had no choice but to join in the conspiracy and to produce the great ending to Afcon 2012 that everyone wanted.

Forgotten Ivory Coast

As things now gradually return to normalcy no one seems to remember the Ivorians and the part they played in producing one of the most dramatic finals in the history of the championship. No one feels sympathy for the team that everyone considered favourites to win the trophy.

Ivory Coast could do nothing right in a match that was scripted by the elements to reward the meek and the underdog. So, the final match was all about Zambia and what a performance they put up.

Chipolopolo - start of a new football landscape

The Chipolopolo gave the world a truly magnificent and unforgettable experience. Young, athletic, raw and energetic, the Zambians made Africa proud with their passion, power, positive play, speed, skills, commitment, discipline, determination, attacking football and a newly discovered 'will to win'.

They gave the world a good preview of what to expect in African football. African football will surely now produce a paradigm shift. A huge barrier has been broken by this victory that will give the Southern and, perhaps, the East African regions the psychological boost to emerge from the shadow of self-doubt and lack of confidence.

Curtains drawn

Afcon 2012 has come and gone but the memories, particularly of the final match, will linger for a long time to come. It will also mark the end of the era of Drogba, Keita and their generation of players and herald the start of a new era, led by the new kids on the block.

It has been a great festival that started rather slowly and poorly but picked up and climaxed into a truly fantastic finale. That’s why the world is enthralled by 'the beautiful game' – you never know what to expect.