A very motivated Zambian team managed by Frenchman, Hervé Renard netted the opener at the 15th minute of play thanks to a header from Stopila Sunzu, who trades his football skills with the DRC club, Tout Puissant of Mazembe.

Led by captain fantastic, Christopher Katongo, Chipolopolo has shown very little respect for their opponents. Players like Rainford Kalaba have shone brightly and more can be expected as the tournament progresses. This was seen at the second segment of the match when Sudanese Ali Idris was red-carded for bringing down Kalaba in the 18-metre box at the 64th minute.

This action will lead to the 66th minute penalty that inspirational Katongo scored after Sudanese keeper, Akram made an initial safe. The Zambian second goal against the Jediane Falcons, is the third for Katongo as the AFCON unfolds.

Anyone who takes Zambia for granted will be doing so at their own risk. Everyone has been warned; the Chipolopolo are on the rise. They mean business. To reinforce this assertion, substitute, James Chamanga, donning jersey number 12, at the 85th minute of the match, skilfully slotted in the third goal for the Copper Bullets. Chamanga’s curve shot stretched out keeper Akram, who will not safe the situation for Sudan, while ensuring a semi-final place for the Zambians.

It has been fitting for the team to play the way they did, in memory of their fallen heroes. It was in this part of the world, precisely off the coast of Gabon on April 27 1993, where the whole Zambian national team was wiped out by a plane crash. The crash happened as the team was on the rise. They were the beacon of hope for the Southern Africa region.

The memories of their heroes seem to be spurring them on. There has been purpose in their display, like a team on a mission.

Considering that the team had to change coach a few months before kick-off, Zambia has done well under the circumstances. Some might argue that Herve Renard is not new to the players, however it should be remembered that he had to work on their mental preparedness after losing their coach just before the tournament.

The Zambian football management team, led by Kalusha Bwalya, must be commended for making the players realise what it means to wear the national team jersey. So far they have covered themselves in glory; bringing honour to the jersey.

I can safely say Zambia are now one of the three favourites, with Ghana and Ivory Coast being the other two. The team has the experience to carry them all the way. They have travelled this road before, going all the way to the final in 1974 and 1994. This could be third time lucky for them.

It looks like nothing will distract them from achieving their dream. Even the dismissal of midfielder Clifford Mulenga from camp for breaking the team’s curfew will have no bearing in their preparations for their quest.

For his performance at the ongoing AFCON, Katongo has been promoted by the President of Zambia, Michael Sata.

Katongo, who is a soldier in the Zambia army, has been promoted to Warrant officer class one.

Sata announced Katongo's promotion on the eve of Zambia's quarter-final match against Sudan in Bata on Saturday, February 4.

Zambia army spokesperson Christopher Musonda said in a statement: "The president of the republic of Zambia and commander in chief of the armed forces His Excellency Michael Chilufya Sata, has promoted Zambia national soccer team captain Christopher Katongo to warrant officer class one with immediate effect for displaying exemplary leadership and skill in the team which has contributed to the team’s good performance."

Katongo, who currently plays for Henan Jiyanyi in China, has been a soldier since joining Zambia army club Green Buffaloes in 2001.

He later joined Jomo Cosmos in South Africa before moving to Europe in 2007 where he has had stints with Brondby in Denmark, Arminia Bielefeld in Germany and Greek club, Xanthi.

In the second quarters of the day, Drogba magic knocked-out co-hosts, Equatorial Guinea. Didier Drogba scored twice and missed a penalty as Ivory Coast reached the AFCON semi-finals with a 3-0 win over upstarts Equatorial Guinea.

The 33-year-old, playing at his 4th AFCON, saw his penalty saved by Danilo and scored the opener in a seven-minute spell of the first half, then headed another midway through the second.

After Drogba took his overall Nations Cup tally to 10, Yaya Toure completed the scoring with an exquisite free kick in the 81st minute with the stadium already half empty after disillusioned fans filed out.

The Ivorians coasted home against the co-hosts, who surpassed all expectations by reaching the last eight despite a modest 151th place in the FIFA rankings.

Facing Ivory Coast's experienced team was clearly a bridge too far for a side consisting mainly of players from the Spanish lower league and without a single local-born player in the starting line-up.