Copper Bullets: an Amazing Sport Story
7digital’s new podcast, Copper Bullets, tells a dramatic story from the history of African football.
The four-part series follows the Zambian national football team between 1993 and 1994 - an extraordinary time of tragedy and renewal, agony and hope.
Almost all of Zambia’s promising 1993 squad were killed in a plane crash while traveling to a World Cup qualifier. A mere 12 months after this total disaster, a new team dared to strive for glory.
Amazing Sport Stories: Copper Bullets is hosted by Welsh-Zambian footballer Robert Earnshaw and is airing on the BBC World Service from 13 July 2024.
“Simply one of the most fascinating football stories of all time.”
Zambia excelled at the 1988 Olympics, fielding an exceptional generation of players known as the ‘Copper Bullets’. The team was a source of pride for the whole nation. By 1993 they hoped to qualify for their first ever World Cup.
But those dreams were shattered when the plane carrying the team crashed into the sea near Gabon. There were no survivors.
The tragedy broke the country’s hearts, but Zambians were defiant, and a new team was assembled.
Incredibly, the new squad went further than anyone imagined. Robert speaks to players and managers, obtaining first-hand accounts of their World Cup qualifying matches and campaign through the Africa Cup of Nations in 1994.
Zambia’s Kalusha Bwalya in the 1994 AFCON final.
Presenter Robert Earnshaw says: “This story is tragic, romantic, powerful… simply one of the most fascinating football stories of all time. I was especially moved given some of my own family were supposed to be on that plane.”
Producers Richard Power and George Hodkinson visited Zambia to hear from players, families, reporters, academics and fans.
Producer Richard interviews Zambian international player Evans Sakala
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