ZAMBIA has lived a dream in the past three weeks and an entire nation will be hoping that their latest dance, in the final of the Nations Cup, does not end in familiar heartbreaking failure in Libreville tomorrow. The setting of Zambia's biggest football match, since Kalusha Bwalya and his brave crew defied the odds to qualify for the '94 Nations Cup final in Tunisia, could not have been more ironic.

For it was in Libreville where Zambian football wrote a tragic story that shook the world when a chartered military plane, carrying the national team to a World Cup qualifier in Senegal, crashed into the Atlantic on April 27, 1993, killing everyone on board. Incredibly, the scene of their greatest sporting disaster could turn into the stage for their greatest sporting triumph if Zambia can leap over one more hurdle, erected by the Elephants of Cote d'Ivoire, and be crowned the kings of African football for the first time in their history.

Nineteen years ago, the Zambians were being swept by a wave of global sympathy as they battled their way to the Nations Cup final and, although they played well and even took the lead, they lost 1-2 to Nigeria.

With the final of the 2012 Nations Cup in Libreville, and Zambia back on the big stage, suddenly there is a new wave of global support being thrown behind the Zambians from a world that wants to see smiles, where it could only see tears, 19 years ago.

Zambia have not played in Gabon, since the start of the tournament, having been based in Equatorial Guinea.

And, when they arrived in Libreville, the Zambian delegation visited the site of the tragic air-crash.

Led by FAZ president Kalusha Bwalya, who was saved from that ill-fated flight simply because he played professional football in Europe and was supposed to connect from Holland to Senegal, the Zambians laid wreaths on the Libreville beach.

"Their dreams are our dreams," Bwalya told Cafonline, the official Caf website.

"It is no coincidence that we are here today. We have worked hard as a team and through a collective effort involving many people. However, I am convinced that our dearly departed brothers that lost their lives here 19 years ago have lent a helping hand.

"In 1993, the Chipolopolo came here to fulfill a promise. They did not succeed, but instead gave up their lives for a gallant cause - the dream to bring glory to Our Country, Mother Zambia.

"It is the same cause that brings us here today, the only difference is that we are alive and our former team mates are no longer here. They are shining down on us from heaven as we take part as finalists in this tournament.

"We pray that their souls will forever rest in Peace and that God give us the strength and the courage to fulfill our dreams and theirs."

Frenchman, Harve Renard, who guided Zambia to the quarter-finals in Angola before taking them to the final in Gabon, said the setting of the grand match brought back sad memories.

"Imagine if we could lift the trophy, it would be a fantastic way to honour the memories of those who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving the land they loved," said Renard.

Conspiracy theorists will claim that life has come full circle for the Zambians and fate, which robbed them of a generation of their finest footballers in Gabon 19 years ago, is about to repay them with the ultimate triumph, in the context of African football, in the same country.

A South African sangoma declared at the start of the tournament that Zambia would win this Nations Cup showcase and he said the fact that their first two goals, against Senegal, coincided with the dates of the start and end of this tourney, was more than just a mere coincidence.

According to that sangoma, it was the football gods sending a message to the world that the Zambians would open and close the tournament with similar success stories.

Zambia have lost two Nations Cup finals before - losing in the '74 showcase in Cairo that was replayed, after the initial match had ended 2-2 before the then Zaire, led by legendary forward Ndaye Mulamba , won 2-0.

Twenty years later, the Zambians were back in the final but again they lost after conceding two goals against the Nigerians.

Could this be third-time lucky for the Zambians?

Chipolopolo have played some of the breathtaking football of this tournament and they reached dizzy heights in the first half against Senegal and in the 3-0 demolition of Sudan in the quarter-finals.

Playmaker Rainford Kalaba has been outstanding in this tournament while Emmanuel Mayuka has popped in with goals at crucial moments, including the priceless one against Ghana in the semi-final where he feigned a back-heel, to fool his marker, and then curled a beauty home.

Inspirational skipper, Chris Katongo, has led from the front but this Zambian team has not been all about its attacking play, showing now and again that it also has a lot of muscle at the back.

But to win, Zambia have to demolish the immovable Elephants who are yet to concede a goal in this tournament.

Didier Drogba, Gervinho, Salomon Kalou and their counterparts give the picture of an Elephants team that can destroy opponents with its attacking flair but this Ivorian team has impressed more with its defensive qualities.

Drogba is under pressure to deliver silverware for his country and, as the natural leader of his generation, the onus is on him to do so from the front.

This could be Drogba's last chance to do it and, with African Footballer of the Year, Yaya Toure, leading their midfield, the Ivorians have all the manpower needed to be crowned champions.

They are the odds-on favourites to win tomorrow and, if they can hit their stride early, they can canter to an easy victory.

But the pressure is on the Elephants and they haven't shown to be a team that handles that aspect very well and that could provide a window of hope for the Zambians.

The class is with the Ivorians but the goodwill is with the Zambians and this could turn into a classic final.