Remembering Zambia‘s national football team ( Chipolopolo) that perished in 1993 plane disaster.

LUSAKA,  Zambia 

The Zambia's national football team (Chipolopolo) left Lusaka International Airport on April 27, 1993 for Pride of their country. 

At about 22:45 hrs Gabonese time a Zambian Air Force de Havilland Canada DHC-5D Buffalo (registration AF-319) crashed into the Atlantic Ocean about 500 metres (550 yards) offshore from Libreville, Gabon.

The flight was carrying most of the Zambian national football team to a FIFA World Cup Qualifier against Senegal in Dakar. 

All 25 passengers and five crew members were killed. 

A Gabonese official investigation into the accident concluded that the pilot had shut down the wrong engine after a fire. 

The investigation found that pilot fatigue and an instrument error had contributed to the accident.

Crew;

Colonel Fenton Mhone (pilot)

Lt Colonel Victor Mubanga (pilot)

Lt Colonel James Sachika (pilot)

Major Edward Nhamboteh (Flight Engineer)

Corporal Tomson Sakala (steward)

Footballers;

Efford Chabala (goalkeeper)

John Soko (defender)

Whiteson Changwe (defender)

Robert Watiyakeni (defender)

Eston Mulenga (defender)

Derby Makinka (midfielder)

Moses Chikwalakwala (midfielder)

Wisdom Mumba Chansa (midfielder)

Kelvin "Malaza" Mutale (striker)

Timothy Mwitwa (striker)

Numba Mwila (midfielder)

Richard Mwanza (goalkeeper)

Samuel Chomba (defender)

Moses Masuwa (striker)

Kenan Simambe (striker)

Godfrey Kangwa (midfielder)

Winter Mumba (defender)

Patrick "Bomber" Banda (striker)

Coaching staff;

Godfrey "Ucar" Chitalu (coach)

Alex Chola (assistant coach)

Wilson Mtonga (doctor)

Wilson Sakala

Others;

Michael Mwape (FAZ Chairman)

Nelson Zimba (Public Servant)

Joseph Bwalya Salim (Journalist)