Herve Renard believes the 1993 catastrophe that hit Zambia will motivate them in Wednesday's Africa Cup of Nations semi-final.
The Zambia coach has hailed his team for reaching the semi-finals of the tournament, where they will meet either Ghana or Tunisia.
About 20 years ago, 18 players and some officials of the Zambia national team perished in a plane crash on their way to a World Cup qualifier against Senegal off the coast of Gabon – co-hosts of the 2012 Afcon.
The Frenchman is hoping the tragedy will spur his side on to honour the departed with a final berth on February 12.
Zambia beat Sudan 3-0 on Saturday to reach the last four stage of the continental showpiece.
"We have another target - to reach Gabon on 12 February for the circumstances we know, the catastrophe of 1993," the coach told the BBC.
"That will be another sign for the destiny of Zambia - but it's far (away) at the moment."
He was full of praise for his side that progressed past the quarter-final finishing point two years ago and will love to see them in the final – a place they last reached almost two decades back before they were beaten by Nigeria.
"I don't say we played well, but I say we did well," he said.
He noted that despite an empty stadium he motivated his charges to believe in themselves coupled with the fact that several of their supporters are backing them worldwide behind television sets.
Renard added: "We were efficient today (Saturday). Some people might have thought it was easy - it wasn't. I told the players there are millions of Zambians (watching on television) and people around Africa, Europe and the world."