With just 15% of works still to be done, the new national stadium in Lusaka received official naming. It will pay tribute to players and staff killed in 1993’s air crash, in which all of the national team perished.

The new 50,000-seat stadium in northern Lusaka (near the defunct Independence Stadium) is now app. 85% complete.

This was found as suitable time to select a proper patronage. The government and president Michael Sata approved the proposal to name the new ground after players and staff killed in 1993 disaster near Gabon. Official name will be the Gabon Disaster Heroes National Stadium.

18 players and 12 members of the staff were on board of national air force airplane on their way to Dakar (Senegal) in 1993. The machine plunged into the ocean near Libreville (Gabon), killing everyone on board. Since they were on national duty, all of the deceased are regarded as heroes.