( CNN ) -- Zambia coach Herve Renard has dedicated the country 's first Africa Cup of Nations title to former player Kalusha Bwalya , who escaped a plane crash that killed the squad of 1993 . Bwalya , regarded as one of Zambia 's greatest players , is also head of the country 's soccer federation . He was in the Gabonese capital Libreville to see the Copper Bullets beat Ivory Coast 8-7 on penalties in Sunday 's final . It was in the same city 19 years ago that Zambia 's coach and 18 players were killed in a plane crash on their way to Senegal for a World Cup qualifying match . Bwalya survived as he traveled to Dakar to meet up with the squad from his base in Europe , where he played for Dutch club PSV Eindhoven . Zambia win maiden Africa Cup of Nations title . Renard was Zambia coach between 2008 and 2010 before leaving to coach Angola , but Bwalya offered him a second stint last year . `` He is the best Zambian player of the last century and he escaped the plane crash , '' Renard was quoted as saying on the Confederation of Africa 's official website . `` He was criticized for giving me the second chance . I dedicate the victory to him because he gave me the opportunity to coach . `` We wanted to honor the dead players and that strengthened us . Our first game was against Senegal and the team was on its way to Senegal for a match when the plane crashed . `` The plane crashed in Gabon and we won the final in Gabon . It is a sign of destiny . '' In a dramatic final , Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba missed a penalty before the game was decided by a tense shootout , with Stoppila Sunzu striking the decisive blow . Zambia striker Collins Mbesuma added : `` I also believe the departed Zambian team of 1993 was with us in this final match . `` When Drogba missed the penalty l just knew it that it was our night , the departed were making sure the Ivorians would not score . '' The Zambian squad flew back to the country 's capital Lusaka on Monday to be greeted by thousands of cheering fans .
Africa Cup of Nations champions Zambia dedicate victory to former player Kalusha Bwalya . Bwalya escaped Sunday plane crash that killed 30 people including 30 Dutch players . Zambia beat Zambia in penalty shootout to claim second ever Cup of Nations title Sunday .