KK11 AFCON 1974 TOURNAMENT

The 1974 AFCON was special for Zambia, in that, it was the first time ever that Zambia, then called “KK11” would be competing at the tournament. The KK11 at the tournament were put in the same group as hosts Egypt, Ivory Coast and Uganda. The 1974 tournament featured only 8 teams, from which 2 groups of 4 were created, out of which 4 would proceed to the semi-final, then 2 would go on to the final.

Zambia’s debut performance would see them go all the way to the Final only to lose to Zaire (DR Congo). Their journey started with a group stage match on the 2^nd of March against Ivory Coast, whom they beat 1-0 thanks to a goal from Simon Kaushi in the 2^nd minute, the second match was on the 4^th of March against hosts Egypt who beat Zambia via a 3-1 score-line, with Godfrey “UCAR” Chitalu grabbing Zambia’s only goal and the last game of group A for Zambia was played against Uganda, whom they beat via a 1-0 score-line, thanks to a goal from Obby Kapita thus securing qualification to the Semi-Finals.

In the Semi-Finals Zambia met Congo (Brazzaville) whom they beat with a resounding 2-4 score-line, with Bernard Chanda grabbing Zambia’s first ever hattrick in AFCON history, after his goals came in the 70^th, 97^th and 111^th minute, with Joseph Mapulanga getting the other goal for Zambia which was scored in the 49^th minute, making it Zambia’s first ever goal in the semi-finals. The match was tightly contested such that even when Zambia was leading 0-2, Congo fought back to make it 2-2 at the end of regulation time, but the might and strength of the KK11 came through, eventually scoring 2 more goals in extra time securing passage to the final that was played on the 12^th of March 1974 against Zaire.

In the final, the dream of winning the tournament in their debut tournament was delayed after a 1-1 draw at the end of regulation time, resulting into a 2-2 draw at the end of extra time. In regulation time, Zambia scored first via Simon Kaushi in the 40^th minute but then Zaire equalized in the 65^th minute, at the end of regulation time; extra time was given and Zaire drew first blood as they scored in the 117^th minute thinking they would win the game until Brighton Sinyangwe found the back of the net in the dying minutes of extra time thus ending in a 2-2 draw, forcing a replay of the final 2 days on the 14^th of March which Zambia went on to lose 2-0.

At the tournament, Zambia had six different goal scorers with Bernard Chanda scoring the most goals for the team; ending the tournament 3^rd on the goal scoring chart, then followed by Simon Kaushi with 2 goals and finally Joseph Mapulanga, Godfrey “UCAR” Chitalu, Obby Kapita and Brighton Sinyangwe all scoring 1 goal each. In the CAF Team of the Tournament only one Zambian made an appearance and it was Dickson Chama.

The squad that represented Zambia:

Goal Keeper: Emmanuel Mwape.

Defenders: Dickson Chama, Dickson Makwaza, Edwin Mbaso, Bernard Chanda.

Mid-Fielders: Ackim Musenge, Patrick Nkole, Willy Phiri,Jan Simbulambo, Bonface Simutowe.

Forwards: Simon Kaushi, Brighton Sinyangwe, Godfrey Chitalu, Joseph Mapulanga, Richard Stephenson, Obby Kapita.