It was a matter of minutes after take-off that the plane lost power and plummeted into the sea, exploding on impact and instantly killing everyone on board. A Zambian air force DHC-Buffalo transporter had stopped at Libreville in Gabon to refuel. It was carrying the country’s national team to Dakar for a key World Cup qualifier against Senegal. Eighteen players, two coaches, three support staff and five air force crew all died on April 27, 1993, and three decades on it remains a jarring tragedy with key questions still to be answered.
Why did Zambian authorities allow their team to fly on a plane that had been out of service for months and found to have several defects when tested just days before being used to transport the team? Was the pilot suffering from fatigue, having flown the team the previous day from another qualifier in Mauritius? Why did the engine catch fire on take-off and was the wrong engine turned off as a result, cutting all power and causing the plane to drop out of the sky?
It took ten years for civil aviation authorities in Gabon to conclude their investigation and produce a report, allowing time to fuel rumours, conjecture and conspiracy theories, and prolonging the suffering of the families of the dead.
Thirty years on Zambia have yet to issue any formal report of their own, with exhausted families still wanting answers but having long given up hope of receiving them.
This was a team of enormous potential, credible contenders for a World Cup berth in the United States in 1994 and seen as potentially future African champions too.
Bu hikaye World Soccer dergisinin April 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye World Soccer dergisinin April 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Never Say Never Again
Bayer Leverkusen are determined to shake off their tag of perennial runners-up
The Last Days Of Roma
How Jose Mourinho's time in the Italian capital came to an end
Opponents then friends: Beckenbauer and Cruyff
Franz Beckenbauer and Johan Cruyff’s relationship defined an era of football
THE FIVE-YEAR PLAN
RB Leipzig's as successful strategy to build a women's team as their men's is right on schedule
New-look Ulsan ready to defend title
The reigning K-League champions have rebranded since last season and are the team to beat yet again in 2024
Messi set for MLS spotlight
The Argentine and his Inter Miami team-mates will dominate the MLS headlines in a big year for North American football
Champions League knockout rounds begin
The last 16 has already begun, with the quarter-finals soon to follow
Hannes Halldorsson
The former Iceland goalkeeper looks back on his proudest moment in football
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2023-24 KNOCKOUT ROUND PREVIEW
Turn over now for Nick Bidwell's comprehensive team-by-team guide
Ventforet Kofu
Japanese second-tier side advance to Asian Champions League knockout rounds with a second-string team