Film Lens
Eighteam is a documentary film that recounts the true story of the Zambia national football team, known as Chipolopolo, which translates to 'copper bullets.' The film covers the team's rise in the late 1980s and early 1990s, including their surprising 4-0 victory over Italy in the 1988 Olympic Games. It also details the tragic plane crash on April 27, 1993, that claimed the lives of 18 players, coaches, and staff, leaving the team devastated.
Following the tragedy, the Football Association of Zambia focused on rebuilding the team, which qualified for the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations, ultimately losing to Nigeria in the final. The film culminates with Zambia's victory in the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, 18 years after the crash, where they defeated Ivory Coast in a penalty shoot-out. The title 'Eighteam' reflects the 18 players lost in the crash, the 18 penalties in the final, and the 18 years between the two significant events.
Why Watch
- •See Zambia's historic 2012 Africa Cup of Nations victory.
- •Meet Kalusha Bwalya, a key figure in Zambian football.
- •Follow the rise of Chipolopolo after a tragic plane crash.
Did You Know
•On April 27, 1993, a plane crash killed 18 Zambian football players.
•Zambia won their first Africa Cup of Nations title in 2012, 18 years later.
•Kalusha Bwalya was the captain but was not on the crash flight.
•The film premiered on the 50th anniversary of Zambia's independence.
Perfect For
Football fansSports history enthusiastsDocumentary lovers