Zambia have secured the Africa Cup of Nations after a dramatic 8-7 penalty shootout win over Ivory Coast, after the two sides had played out 120 minutes of goalless football.
Zambia might have taken the lead barely two minutes into the match when Nathan Sinkala found himself unmarked in the area, but Boubacar Barry was on hand to produce a smart save down to his right.
Yaya Toure so nearly put the Ivory Coast ahead just before the 30-minute mark, but his effort drifted just wide after good work from Didier Drogba, who was quiet in the early stages of the match.
Zambia remained a threat on the counter, however, but their goalkeeper Kennedy Mwenne so nearly caused his side trouble when he appeared to collect the ball outside the area, but the referee waved play on.
Chances were few and far between in the opening half of football with the Ivory Coast enjoying the greater spell of possession, without ever really threatening to open the scoring.
The Ivory Coast had a golden opportunity to take the lead after 70 minutes when Gervinho was felled in the area by a combination of Zambian defenders, but Drogba fired his penalty high and wide to complete a poor night's work from the Chelsea man.
The pre-tournament favourites continued to enjoy the better of the possession as the match approached the end of normal time, with Kolo Toure excelling in the heart of their defence.
Max Gradel so nearly won it for the Elephants with moments of normal time remaining, but he dragged his shot wide when he might have done better as the match headed to extra time.
Zambia had a golden chance to take the lead moments into extra time but Barry produced a fine save to deny Christopher Katongo from giving his side the lead.
The Ivory Coast enjoyed the better of the extra time, but it was clear the match was heading for a penalty shootout to decide the outcome.
Both sides dispatched their opening seven penalties to tie the shootout at 7-7, before Kolo Toure missed his penalty for the Elephants, but Rainford Kalaba fired his penalty over when he could have won it for Zambia.
Gervinho missed his penalty for the Ivory Coast, however, and this time Zambia did win it as Stophira Sunzu stepped up to fire his penalty home.
Matt Law
