Midfield star Isaac Chansa has said it was Zambia's destiny to win the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations in Libreville, Gabon.

The Chipolopolo beat Cote d’Ivoire 8-7 on post-match penalties Sunday night after a scoreless draw at the end of extra time to clinch their first-ever Nations Cup trophy.

Chansa said Zambia's emotional attachment to Libreville, where in 1993 their predecessors died in an air crash, was a great motivation to win the Nations Cup.

"The win is very emotional yes it (the air crash) played a part, we believed that if the final will be in Libreville this will be ours this time around. Like the coach said, it was written somewhere that we will win it," said Chansa, who, like several of his teammates, cried tears of joy after Zambia triumphed.

"We were not the favourites of the final, but we believed in ourselves as players as management and coaches and we would like to continue in the same position."

Chansa said the win was not only for Zambia but the entire Southern Africa region too.

"It is a great achievement for the Zambian people and the Southern African region," the Orlando Pirates midfielder said.

Chansa converted Zambia's third post-match penalty to redeem himself after he conceded a 68th minute penalty for a nudge on goal-bound Gervinho.

Didier Drogba took the resulting penalty but he blasted his spot kick high and over the bar before the game finished scoreless after extra time.