African Cup of Nations - Ivory Coast set up Zambia final
Ivory Coast will meet Zambia in the African Cup of Nations final on Sunday after a fine solo effort from Gervinho helped them to a 1-0 win over Mali in Libreville.
The Arsenal forward settled the semi-final moments before half-time as he carried the ball from his own half before curling a low effort beyond Mali goalkeeper Soumaila Diakite.
There were jubilant scenes at the final whistle and Ivory Coast will now contest their third African Cup of Nations final. It will be their first since 2006 when they lost on penalties to Egypt.
Mali midfield star Seydou Keita was fit for the match after an ankle knock, but striker Modibo Maiga missed out through injury. Cheick Diabate came into the attack, while Mustapha Yatabare replaced the injured Abdou Traore in coach Alain Giresse's other change.
Ivory Coast made three changes with Salomon Kalou, Cheik Tiote and Siaka Tiene coming in for Max Gradel, Arthur Boka and Kafoumba Coulibaly.
Francois Zahoui's side started the stronger, hitting the post twice in the first 15 minutes.
Tiene curled in a vicious in-swinging free-kick and Didier Drogba's downward header smacked against the post.
Moments later Drogba's long-range free-kick bounced up and hit goalkeeper Diakite in the face as Mali showed some early nerves in the semi-final.
They did threaten at the other end when Cheick Diabate's shot was deflected over the bar by a good diving block from Sol Bamba.
Kalou played the ball into the area for Yaya Toure whose ferocious right-footed shot slammed against the near post as Mali's goal led something of a charmed life.
Drogba held up the ball superbly and eluded two defenders, but dragged his shot wide of the far post as Ivory Coast enjoyed the lion's share of the chances.
They took the lead moments before half-time. Gervinho collected the ball from Yaya Toure inside his own half and nutmegged Ousmane Berthe but there was still plenty for the Arsenal man to do. Somehow he was able to dribble down the left and into the area without a single challenge from a Mali defender. Captain Cedric Kante, who was impressing in the centre of defence until that point, did not make a challenge and despite Berthe's best efforts to get back, Gervinho was able to curl the ball low past Diakite into the far corner.
The second-half was largely devoid of chances as Ivory Coast comfortably dealt with what little threat Mali had to offer.
The Elephants could have doubled their lead when Yaya Toure played the ball to Kalou on the edge of the area. Kalou's first touch was superb and his left-footed shot was tipped over the bar by Diakite.
A forceful run from Drogba saw the Chelsea striker hold off Kante before the outrushing Diakite blocked his goal-bound shot.
Yaya Toure should have done better than head a corner from substitute Kader Keita over the bar, but Mali never looked like making Zahoui's men pay for their missed chances.
Ivory Coast will now play Zambia in the final where the so-called 'golden generation' will have another chance to win a major trophy.
Mali will face Ghana in the third-place play-off on Saturday after coming up short in Libreville.
Comment 7 - 26 of 26
Go for the cup of boys from Zambia! You done us proud. Kenya is behind your success.
same formular chipolopolo...donn't Kubeba sh... Kutiwabusha abalele...go zambia go th big game on sun day and the cup is ours..proud of you chipolopolo kip th spirit n th fire burning..... Jah lov
The goal reflects how ridiculous is african football! what was the last defender waiting for going after Gervinho?!
indeed, chipolopolo boys, the whole southern africa is behind you. go! go! go! and bring the cup near malawi.
ruther,
London, UK.
Zambia, you have done East Africa proud. The cup is on its way to East Africa (Kenya) via Zambia. The whole region is behind you for the final.
You'd never see him doing that in an Arsenal shirt!
chipolopolo boys will now be changed to dochi kube boys, this slogan worked well for president sata to come into power ,why not for our team. go!go! dochi kube boys we are behind you. we were lated underdogs even in our group but came out to the best of the best.
we sting like a bee and fly like a butterfly
Chipolopolo boys are going to beat Cote d Ivoire to lift the AFCON trophy.This is Zambias time !!!!
don`t @#$% around with the boy`s from mosi land,can`t compare it with castle,swallow your pride south africans we are in the finals againnnnnnnnnnn.
This Zambian team xhibits the character and charisma of the 1993 team that unfortunately din't make the 1994 finals..Go! Chipolopolo.,Its your time!
Hate us or love us!!! Chipolopolo mean business!! We have beaten the so-called big teams! Ivory Coast wont be an exception! And we need proper match officials! Last night's ref almost won it for Ghana!
You can only decide a winner when the match is over. Zambian players are fearless and they will play their game as the ivorians struggle with their identity
The chipolopolo have given us something to smile about !!!We have revenged the loss we suffered in 1992 AFCON held in Senegal. I cant wait to see Ivory cost go down as well.Big thumps up to the boys and Zambia !!! They reminded me of the good old days when Kalusha was playing.Mayuka and the guys take it easy and good lucky.
aim standing with my fellow Ivorian in the final The ELEPHANT, Zambia was just lucky to won that march due to lack of confident from Gyan Kicking penalty to the goalkeeper which is relevant to what happened in South Africa World cup. Go back to Lusaka Idiot Zambian.
Chipolopolo has made Southern Africa proud by beating the most fancied Ghana. The Cup is coming down south to stay. Chris
zambia has proven again dat it has talented and ambitious players go go chiipolopolo we love you
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Many ,many congratulations to Zambia,"Chipolopolo",the bullet 4 making the Finals.Zambia,u have made Southern Africa very proud .All the best in the Finals.Zambia ought to win it 4 Southern Africa & the progressive Football fans in Africa.I know the corrupt ,docile CAF Boss ,Issa Hayatou will be rooting 4 his West Africans in the Finals because his Presidency has been built on a foundation of North&West African hegemony ..Its certainly high time the CAF Headquarters are moved crisis riddled Cairo to Johannesburg.
What's this? Gervinho scoring a goal?
Chipolopolo 4 ever ! Denis Lewewe Loves You !
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