TRAGEDY TO TRIUMPH BY BROTHER FRED....

TRAGEDY TO TRIUMPH

by Fred M. Allen

On April 27, 1993, Zambia’s National Soccer Team, their coaches and staff all died in a plane crash off the coast of Gabon, Africa. I was in my office when my secretary, Judy, came into my office crying and telling me that the accident has just happened. The whole country was shocked and in a state of unbelief until officials confirmed the terrible accident.

It is hard for us Americans to understand just how deep this tragedy was felt throughout the country as their national heroes in soccer (called football there) all had perished except one star player who was still in Europe where he played professionally. The government officials declared a weeklong state of mourning in honor of the Team and

and coaches. I have never seen so much grief and agony as shone on the faces of all our Zambian workers at the Baptist Building and everywhere else. It was a sad day in Zambia.

For years Zambia has had a strong national soccer team. They have so many talented players who compete annually for a spot on the world-renowned team. Every year they were considered one of the top teams in Africa and in other international competitions. I remember one year when Zambia was playing Nigeria while we were in our Annual Mission Meeting. The game was on local television and was nearing the end of a tight match when it was time to return to the business of the Mission in a nearby room. I told Joy to go ahead in the meeting and I would come along later. I watched the game to the bitter end when Zambia lost the match. Being a sports enthusiast as I have always been, it was easy to get caught up in the excitement of Zambia’s important matches. Even our children became attached to the Zambia National Team and knew many of the players’ names, positions on the Team, etc. Many of the players were household names in our home. A National Memorial was erected near the Independence Stadium where the Team had played many of its games.  When our children returned for visits, they always wanted to visit that Memorial.  

Fast forward to Year 2012 when Zambia was in the Africa Nations Cup Finals at Libreville, Gabon, against power house Ivory Coast. They played to a draw and went to penalty kicks to determine the champ. After five kicks, they still were tied at 5-5.  The

second series of five kicks resulted in Zambia winning 4-3, a dramatic comeback after the heart-breaking tragedy of 1993. You who are interested may view the penalty kicks on the Internet by clicking on Zambia’s match with Ivory Coast in 2012.  Don’t be surprised if Zambia wins the World Cup some day. They deserve it. As for our family, our sons learned to play soccer there. Two of them, Randy and Bruce, went on to play varsity soccer for Hardin-Simmons U. in Abilene, TX, as they excelled in that sport.  Thank you, Zambia, for contributing so much to the lives of our children and to our whole family. We miss you.