April 27, 2023 /Sports/ — On April 27, 1993, a Zambian Air Force plane carrying the Zambia national football team crashed into the Atlantic Ocean shortly after taking off from Libreville, Gabon. The plane was en route to Dakar, Senegal, for a World Cup qualifying match. All 30 people on board, including 18 players, were killed.

The cause of the crash was determined to be pilot error. The pilot, Leslie Chakulya, had shut down the wrong engine after an engine fire. The plane then lost power and crashed into the ocean.

The crash was a devastating blow to Zambia. The national football team was a national pride, and the players were seen as heroes. Their deaths were mourned by the entire country.

In the aftermath of the crash, the Zambian government established a new national football team. In the aftermath of the crash, the FAZ was forced to rebuild the national team. The team qualified for the 1994 African Cup of Nations, and they went on to win the African Cup of Nations in 2012. They dedicated their performance to the memory of the players who had died.

The 1993 Zambia national football team plane crash was a tragedy that shocked the world. It was a reminder of the dangers of air travel, and it also highlighted the importance of safety in all aspects of life.

Here are the names of the 18 footballers and other members of the Zambian national football team who perished in the plane crash on April 27, 1993:

• Players:
  • Efford Chabala
  • Richard Mwanza
  • Kelvin Mutale
  • Winter Mumba
  • Derby Makinka
  • Wisdom Mumba Chansa
  • Moses Chikwalakwala
  • Samuel Chomba
  • Moses Masuwa
  • Eston Mulenga
  • Numba Mwila
  • Timothy Mwitwa
  • Whiteson Changwe
  • Charles Musonda (injured and not on the flight)
  • Kalusha Bwalya (not on the flight)
• Officials:
  • Godfrey Chitalu (coach)
  • Alex Chola (team manager)
  • Benard Chanda (doctor)
  • Joseph Kabungo (physiotherapist)
• Crew:
  • Captain Leslie Chakulya
  • First Officer Mike Chishimba
  • Flight Engineer Edward Mwaanga

It is a tragedy that so many young and talented people were lost in this accident. Their deaths were a great loss to Zambia and to the world of football.