Zambian talisman goalkeeper, Kennedy Mweene, has said their first ever triumph at the 2012 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) will give the dead Zambian footballers who died in 1993 a perfect rest. Zambia lifted the Africa Cup of Nations trophy hosted by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea after beating the Ivory Coast 8-7 in a dramatic penalty shoot out in the final in Libreville Sunday night. The Zambian team popularly known as the Chipolopolo meaning Copper Bullets won Africa's top football prize for the first time after appearing in two previous finals. Many pundits have said this Zambian football generation were greatly inspired by the loss of the 1993 Zambian team - touted as the best Zambian football generation ever - after a plane crash close to the venue of the final in Libreville. Kennedy Mweene who was just magnificent on the night including saving Manchester City's Kolo Toure penalty kick told the BBC that their victory will let the spirits of the players who died 19 years ago rest in peace. "We went to see the sight, before we played, when we arrived here and it was 'joyphant' [and] emotional at the same time but we had to do this because that is when their spirits will go to sleep to rest now. We have done what they were about to do so I think their spirits will rest in peace now," he said. The inspirational Zambian keeper disclosed that their victory was won out of sheer determination and team spirit. "...The key has been the team spirit and team work if you can see we don't have any big names but we are like wild dogs 'where is the ball?' That is what we are all of us. I think we have made sure that we didn't want to expose our late friends' mistakes so I think that has been the key with us," Kennedy added.