Atlético Bucaramanga achieved something historic, being crowned champion of Colombian professional soccer for the first time. The team, led by Rafael Dudamel, overcame the difficulties and at the Nemesio Camacho El Campín stadium, in front of more than 25 thousand fans from Santa Fe and only a thousand from Bucaramanga, they tied 3-3 on aggregate and finally won the title. in an exciting penalty shootout that ended 5-6.
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One of the heroes of the Leopardo team this season was the Argentine midfielder Fabián Sambueza. The footballer with a Cardenal past indicated after the game that in the middle of the celebration for the title obtained, the president of Santa Fe, Eduardo Méndez, showed his discontent.
“The president of Santa Fe got angry because I celebrated him (the title) with the people of Bucaramanga, I have nothing against them.” According to Sambueza, he has respect for the club, although he was sincere and said that the Cardenal fans did not like him.
“In Santa Fe I tried to give my best, people don’t like me and I don’t know why, but I want to apologize to him, to the people and thank all the people of Bucaramanga and hope we are happy”.
Precisely, the Argentine midfielder emphasized the emotion obtained after the title, pointing out that what was expressed was with respect, but as a result of becoming champion with a club with the characteristics that Atlético Bucaramanga has and has had.
“It is unique, it is not the same when you are in a big club like Santa Fe, Junior, Cali, which prepare for this. We, with a lot of effort, we knew this was the moment and we couldn’t let it pass. Thanks to my family, my wife and my mother who is far away.”
It is worth remembering that Sambueza also played with Santa Fe and even played in a final with the Cardenal team, which they lost at home.although on that occasion the match was played behind closed doors due to the problems generated by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Nemesio Camacho El Campín stadium, known as the Colossus of 57, has witnessed joys and sadness for the fans of Independiente Santa Fe. However, in the last 12 years, this emblematic stage has been transformed into a place of painful memories, especially when rivals have celebrated on its grass. With the recent feat of Atlético Bucaramanga, which was crowned champion of Colombian professional soccer before the astonished gaze of the cardinal fans, it is inevitable to remember other finals that have left deep scars in the hearts of the people of Santa Fe.
One of the first bad times of this cycle occurred in the opening tournament of 2013. Santa Fe, which had just broken a 37-year drought without titles the previous year, faced a fierce Atlético Nacional led by Juan Carlos Osorio. After a promising 0-0 draw in Medellín, The Santa Fe fans were excited about the possibility of celebrating in El Campín. But what seemed like a dream turned into a nightmare when the Verdolagas won 0-2 in Bogotá, taking the title and leaving more than 30,000 Cardinals fans in silence..
But the misfortune did not end there. In the final of the 2017 closing tournament, Santa Fe faced its eternal backyard rival, Millonarios, in a high-tension series that captured the attention of the country. After a 1-0 in favor of the Ambassadors in the first leg, the Santa Fe fans filled El Campín waiting for an epic comeback. However, in the 85th minute, Henry Rojas unleashed a powerful shot that sealed the victory for Millonarios and left the followers of Santa Fe in absolute desolation. The image of Omar Pérez, crestfallen in the middle of the field, became a symbol of the harsh defeat.
The third tragedy came in 2020, a year marked by the Covid 19 pandemic. The BetPlay League was played without an audience and Santa Fe reached the final, this time against América de Cali. At the Pascual Guerrero, the Scarlets dominated with a resounding 3-0, and although the Cardinals managed to make up the score in the second leg by winning 2-0, it was not enough to snatch the title from the Cali team. The celebration of America in an empty Campín resonated like an echo of frustration among the Cardinals fans.
