The tragic plane crash involving the Zambia national football team on April 27, 1993, resulted in the loss of all 30 people on board. Prior to the crash, players had reportedly expressed concerns about the military aircraft, stating that “this plane will kill us.”
The team was managed by Godfrey Chitalu and included standout players like David Chabala, Wisdom Chansa, Eston Mulenga, Patrick Banda, and Mutale. The crash was attributed to a faulty instrument that led the pilot to shut down the wrong engine, causing the plane to plummet into the water offshore.
This devastating event left the football community in mourning. Former captain Kalusha Bwalya, who narrowly avoided the crash by traveling separately, reflected on the team’s concerns about the aircraft, revealing the players’ apprehensions.
Despite the tragedy, Zambia’s national team later achieved success by winning the Africa Cup of Nations in 2012, a historic victory that remains their only tournament title to date.
