Almost nine years after all but three players were killed in a devastating plane crash, Chapecoense have secured promotion to the Brazilian Série A, restoring the club to the top tier for the first time since 2021.
A small club from Southern Brazil, Chape played in the Série A for the first time in 2014, before a historic run saw them reach the 2016 Copa Sudamericana Finals — the secondary level of continental football in South America.
However, disaster struck as the team made their way to the first leg, against Colombian team Atlético Nacional. Due to errors from both airline and crew, the club’s flight ran out of fuel and crashed 18 kilometres from its destination in Medellín, killing 71 of the 77 people on board, including 19 of the 22 Chape players and their head coach Caio Júnior. Only six people survived, including backup goalkeeper Jakson Follman, whose leg was amputated in a life-saving operation.
Following the crash, Chape initially survived in Série A, but they have spent the last four years in the second tier and have yet to replicate the fairytale which was so tragically cut short in 2016. However, the final day of the season provided a dramatic backdrop for the club’s return to the top division — not only did Chape clinch promotion on the final day of the season, but they did it on the ninth anniversary of reaching the Copa Sudamericana Finals. Chape have faced massive difficulties since 2016 and have stagnated in the depths of Série B for several years.
Even more the underdog than before, the club’s comeback this year has been justifiably emotional for the club and its dedicated fanbase, who stormed the pitch in elation as their promotion was confirmed. Now, the approaching anniversary of the crash on 29 November is cause for reflection on how far the team have come — Chape’s restoration to Série A is a testament to their perseverance in the face of adversity. A decade on, next season will hopefully mark a new chapter in the club’s history, and they will seek to firmly establish themselves back at the top.The fairytale may not be over.
“File:Arena Condá tem tributo pelas vítimas de voo da Chapecoense 02.jpg” by Daniel Isaia/Agência Brasil is licensed under CC BY 3.0.