Lusaka, Zambia - Zambian President Michael Sata has called on the corporate world to motivate the Zambian National football team ahead of this weekend’s CAN 2012 final match against Cote d'Ivoire. Sata on Thursday conveyed his plea and the nation’s gratitude to the Zambian players for their remarkable achievement in qualifying for the final after beating Ghana 1-0 in Wednesday's semi-final match at Bata, Equatorial Guinea.

In his message to the team, Sata said the team rose to the challenge at a critical stage to eliminate one of the finest teams in Africa, Ghana, whose historical stature was bigger than Zambia having won the tournament four times.

“But that rich history did not cow you into submission. Instead it added to your resolve to write a different chapter on African football. On behalf of all Zambians, I wish to congratulate you on this breath-taking feat. You are the pride of our beloved country,” the President said in a statement issued Thursday by his special assistant for press and public relations, George Chellah.

Sata said: “I am cognisant of the fact that this is the first time in 18 years that we are reaching the final and only the third in the history of the tournament. We lost 1-2 to Nigeria in 1994 and 0-2 in the twice played final of 1974 against Zaire (now Democratic Republic of Congo), when Zambia competed for the first time.”

He said the quality of football the team played defined the true character and spirit of the Zambian people, who always strive to be winners.

“As you go into the final, I urge you to fight for the nation in getting rid of the pain of losing your gallant colleagues who perished off the coast of Gabon in 1993. Continue with your hard work, dedication and determination to the job at hand,” the President said, adding: “You stand at a very emotional point with your eyes firmly fixed on the title. And the nation believes in your collective ability and shares your desires and aspirations.”

Zambia will play against the Ivorian Elephants in Sunday’s final, the first time the teams are meeting at this stage of the tournament.

Zambia beat Cote d'Ivoire 1-0 in the quarter-finals of the 1994 edition; two years after the West Africans had won their first and only title.

Pana 09/02/2012