By Andrew Warshaw
February 13 – African nations have steadfastly refused to bow to European pressure to stage their showpiece tournament, the African Cup of Nations, every four years instead of two.
European teams are constantly frustrated at losing players in the middle of every second season but Confederation of African Football (CAF) boss Issa Hayatou says there is no chance of falling into line with the World Cup and European Championships.
Speaking before the African Nations Cup final between Ivory Coast and Zambia, Hayatou said: “We are doing it deliberately to improve the infrastructure throughout the continent.
“If countries host the Africa Cup of Nations, they will have stadiums when the tournament is completed.”
Meanwhile, in emotional scenes, Zambia clinched the African Nations Cup for the first time, upsetting favourites the Ivory Coast 8-7 on penalties to honour the memories of the 1993 Zambian team wiped out in a tragic air crash, ironically close the Libreville venue where the final was played.
After 14 kicks had been converted, English Premier League stars Kolo Touré and Gervinho both missed and Zambia’s Rainford Kalaba also fired over before Stoppila Sunzu hit the winning penalty.
Chelsea’s Ivorian skipper Didier Drogba had missed a spot-kick in normal time as the Ivory Coast’s golden generation missed out yet again on Africa’s biggest prize.
Zambia, twice previously runners-up, last reached the final a year after 18 Zambian squad members died as they took off from the Gabonese capital.
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