Late on the evening of April 27, 1993, the Zambian Air Force de Havilland Canada DHC-5D Buffalo (registration AF-319) carrying the Zambia national team crashed into the Atlantic Ocean about 500 metres (550 yards) offshore from Libreville, Gabon.
All the 25 passengers and crew on board died in the crash. This included 18 Zambia national soccer team players.
The team had only arrived in the country two days earlier on the same Buffalo plane after a successful outing in Mauritius where they beat that country 3 – 0 in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
The mission now was to tackle Senegal in Dakar in the World Cup qualifiers. Unfortunately the journey came to a disastrous grinding halt before they even reached their destination.
Gone but never forgoten,its 23 years now
KK11 Players
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/striker) 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)
Technical Staff
Godfrey “Ucar” Chitalu (coach) Alex Chola (assistant coach) Wilson Mtonga (doctor) Wilson Sakala
Other Staff
Michael Mwape (FAZ Chairman) Nelson Zimba (public servant) Joseph Bwalya Salim (journalist)
ZAF Crew
Colonel Fenton Mhone (pilot) Lt Colonel Victor Mubanga (pilot) Lt Colonel James Sachika (pilot) Warrant Officer Edward Nambote (fitter) Corporal Tomson Sakala (steward)
Darkest day of Zambian football.
Still remembering you!we love you
The darkest hour on the continent. Wishing their loved ones the strength to withstand the agony caused by this unfortunate incident. Still fresh in our memories. Tears drop any time we remember these gallant men. We shall overcome ,
Won’t forget
Memories still Fersh. Irreplaceable talent lost. To make matters worse for me I lost my mum a day later after this plane crush.
For Ever Be Heroes. ????
Memories still fresh.the way I feel awe kwena lesa mukulu
Still fresh in our minds. A loss to the motherland. Families, friends & all football lovers shall forever remember you, guys. Time cannot separate you from us. We love you all dearly.
l miss yu (kayeye) kenani simambe