The amount of professional football matches played in the modern era means a lot of the action melts into a blur and only the truly special moments are crystalized in memory. Zambia's victory in the 2012 African Cup of Nations was one of them.
Not only did they stun an Ivorian side loaded with big names when they beat them 8-7 in a penalty shootout in Libreville to claim the trophy, but they stole hearts with their poignant tribute to the members of their 1993 squad who perished in a plane crash off the coast of Gabon almost two decades earlier. In a perfect world, the class of 2012 would have gone to achieve other things the 1993 outfit never had the chance to do: defend their title, qualify for a World Cup and build a legacy.
Instead, they were lucky to be at the 2013 Cup after beating Uganda 9-8 on penalties. Later on, they could not get past Ghana to get to the World Cup in Brazil and are now third out of the four teams in their qualifying group for the 2015 tournament. They have just one point from the two matches and are only above Niger on goal difference. The mighty have fallen, so much so that Zambia's Daily Mail headlined them "deadwood," in a story about what coach Honour Janza needs to do to ensure Zambia are represented at the continental championship.
The coach already knows change is inevitable, despite the glory that was achieved almost 30 months ago, but does not want it to detract from the accomplishment of the past. "We need to keep on re-branding and appreciate what they have done for us before. You can't chop all the professionals, all the 11 players at once we need to take our time because it is a process," he said.
Janza's squad for the matches played earlier this month included just 10 members from the 2012 triumph. Notable absentees were Isaac Chansa, who recently joined the Indian Super League and midfielder Clifford Mulenga. The latter fell out of favour at the Gabon event after missing a curfew, but remains hopeful of a recall while plying his trade in South Africa. Mulenga told The Post he had recently chatted with Janza and has been assured if he is "playing well and get myself back into shape, I could get a call-up soon."
But Janza is also looking locally and is currently holding a week-long training camp in Lusaka to assess his options ahead of next month's matches and more importantly, beyond that. Janza has conceded that in the immediate aftermath of the 2012 tournament, Zambia failed to transition and because of that they need to "believe in the players that are already there." But he also aims to initiate waves of change in the medium and long-term that will see the likes of young goalkeepers Joshua Titima or Danny Munyao groomed to take over from Kennedy Mweene.
Janza's reasons for Zambia's slipping up make sense, but to supporters it will not be enough of an excuse to justify tumbling from the top into a position of uncertainty. Although Janza does not see himself as being under pressure -- and even pointed a finger at his Nigerian counterpart Stephen Keshi, whose champions team are in exactly the same situation as Zambia -- he is expected to deliver and for that he will need his players to step up or at least remember what they are capable of.
Zambia were not the most star-studded team at the 2012 African Cup of Nations. Neither did they play the most attractive football, but they were an outfit that understood how to work together and make best use of their resources. If they can use that as inspiration for their next set of matches, Zambia's 2015 qualifying campaign could be back on track before Janza has to make any more changes.