Sunday January 29, 2012 Group Stage: Group A Finished Nuevo Estadio de Malabo

Equatorial Guinea 0 - 1 Zambia

  • Katongo 67’

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  1. African Cup of Nations - Zambia top group after Katongo winner

    African Cup of Nations - Zambia top group after Katongo winner

    Christopher Katongo's solo effort earned Zambia a 1-0 win over hosts Equatorial Guinea and saw Zambia top African Cup of Nations Group A. More

  • Live Commentary

    Time:90'
    • Equatorial Guinea
    • Zambia
    • 90'+4 FULL TIME. It's all over and Zambia have defeated the hosts Equatorial Guinea 1-0. Both sides are through to the quarter-finals - Zambia as Group A winners.
    • 90'+3 We have one more minute to play here...
    • 90'+1 But Zambia do not commit many men forward and EQG, outnumbering their opponents, clear easily.
    • 90' Zambia substitute Chamanga forces a late corner.
    • 89' But there has been a huge gap between midfield and attack for EQG, and substitute Fabiani has looked isolated in attack.
    • 87' Back here, Paulo Gílson is heading towards his first competitive defeat as EQG coach unless they can conjure something up in these final few minutes.
    • 86' Senegal heading towards three successive defeats. Who would have thought that before the tournament?
    • 85' But.... Libya have scored in the other game. It will probably count for little (unless Equatorial Guinea score twice) but Libya now lead Senegal 2-1. You can follow that game here
    • 83' Zambia cruising into the quarter-finals at the moment.
    • 81' Fabiani is huffing and puffing - and has looked more interested than Fidjeu - but has suffered from a chronic lack of service in this second half.
    • 79' Balboa goes for goal with a powerful drive that Mweene clings on to.
    • 77' Zambia's Chansa is replaced by Kasonde as we approach the final ten minutes.
    • 75' Kalaba cuts in from that left wing, but his shot is charged down.
    • 73' If things stay the same, Zambia will be rewarded with a quarter-final match against Angola or Sudan.
    • 71' EQG scrapping for everything at the moment, but they are struggling to create chances as freely as in the first half.
    • 69' EQG almost draw level through Juvemal's superb free-kick that clears the Zambia wall but, at the last moment, drifts just wide of the left post. Beautiful effort by arguably the best player on the pitch tonight.
    • 68' There was an interesting celebration to accompany that goal but, more interestingly for Zambia, that goal means they will avoid Ivory Coast.
    • 67' GOAL! Yes, a GOAL! Katonga has put Zambia 1-0 up with a rare moment of quality in this match. He skips in from the left wing, riding two challenges before firing low inside the bottom corner.
    • 64' EQG's Fabiani has certainly put himself about a bit since coming on, but chances still at a premium.
    • 62' Just to remind you, Libya need to beat Senegal to go through otherwise, as things stand, Zambia will take their place in the quarter-finals. Where they will probably face Ivory Coast.
    • 60' An hour played at the Nuevo Estadio de Malabo and still no goals. If I'm honest, goals do not look likely at this stage. Still waiting for our first meaningful attack of the half.
    • 59' The second half certainly hasn't been pretty, but both sides getting a satisfactory result at the moment.
    • 57' A rush of blood to the head by Katongo, who can't resist rifling a volley into the stands.
    • 56' Both sides just struggling with their final ball at the moment.
    • 55' Zambia's early adventure seems to have receded. EQG calling the shots at the moment and dominating possession. WIthout actually doing too much with it, mind.
    • 53' Fabiani's first action is to clatter late in Mweene, who holds onto the ball and gives Fabiani "the eyes".
    • 52' If you're having problems seeing the commentary, just hit F5 for a refresh and you should be up to date...
    • 50' Fabiani is on, and Fidjeu goes off for EQG.
    • 51' Anyway, that bizarre spell of play is over and EQG will finally make that substitution....
    • 50' The ball is tapped to Himoonde, who blasts the ball at goal, but his effort is blocked well. Not sure the EQG wall was ten yards back though...
    • 49' It certainly wasn't deliberate if you ask me, but Zambia have an indirect free-kick inside the EQG box 10 yards out!
    • 48' The referee have penalised EQG for a deliberate backpass!
    • 47' EQG have been unable to make a substitution at half-time, and are playing with ten men at the moment. A slightly ridiculous situation.
    • 46' SECOND HALF: Here we go again, EQG get the second half started.
    • HT Want to watch every African Cup of Nations match live? For the very reasonable £3.99 per month you can get the Eurosport Player
    • HT It's all square at the Estadio de Bata, with Libya and Senegal drawing 1-1. You can follow that game right here
    • 45'+2 A slightly scrappy end to what has been an entertaining, but goalless, first half. It's 0-0 at the Nuevo Estadio de Malabo.
    • 45' There will be three additional minutes at the end of the first-half.
    • 44' Zambia seem eager for half-time.
    • 43' That chance has really sparked EQG. Their fans are making more noise and the players have a bounce in their step now.
    • 41' Huge credit must go to the Zambia goalkeeper Mweene, who was lightning fast off his line to deny Bolado.
    • 40' Best chance of the game! Zambia fail to clear after several opportunities to do so and Juvemal picks out Bolado with a superb pass on the edge of the box, but Bolado's shot is smothered by Mweene, who comes off his line quickly to make the save.
    • 38' We are yet to have a first-half goal in any of EQG's matches. They have six-and-a-half minutes to change that...
    • 36' Best opportunity of the game for either side, and you have to say it was a chance spurned by Zambia.
    • 35' Play is underway and EQG are opened up straight away! A superb driving run through midfield by Kalaba opens up a huge gap, but Kalaba delays his pass to Katongo, who can only cross into the arms of Danilo after being forced wide.
    • 33' Bokung has taken a whack in the face, and the game has been halted by the referee.
    • 31' Zambia still the better side but we're seeing more from EQG now as Juvemal dinks another ball into the box, but FIdjeu, with his back to goal., is unable to bring the ball under control.
    • 29' The empty seats at kick off all seem to be filled and there's a stonking atmosphere inside the stadium now.
    • 27' Musonda and Kalaba link well on the right wing for Zambia but Danilo fists the ball clear in a way only he can. He sure gets some distance on those punches - this one nearly cleared the halfway line!
    • 26' Zambia seem to have weathered that particular storm. EQG looking dangerous for a spell there.
    • 24' EQG win a corner that Juvemal whips in with venom from the left. Fidjeu is at the far post but, under pressure, fails to make contact.
    • 23' Danilo comes out to meet a lofted ball into the EQG box and decides to punch clear in unorthodox fashion. But it's effective and EQG clear their lines.
    • 22' That's the first time EQG have stretched Zambia at the back.
    • 21' Zambia only half clear the corner and Juvemal whips in another cross towards Balboa, but Zambia are able to clear this time.
    • 20' But EQG on the attack as Juvemal puts a deep cross into the box that is flicked out for a corner.
    • 19' Zambia really starting to take this game by the scruff of its neck. They are pressing hard in midfield and reducing EQG to half chances thus far.
    • 17' Zambia looking very dangerous when they attack. This time Bokung gets across to clear for EQG.
    • 15' The goals are flying in at the Estadio de Bata. N'Diaye has netted an equaliser for Senegal, and Zambia can breathe again. You can follow Libya vs Senegal here
    • 14' Positive football from both sides so far, particularly EQG, who craft an excellent move but Fidjeu miscontrols the throughball and the chance has gone.
    • 13' Zambia defending really well so far.
    • 12' Evuy gets forward down the right but the right-back's cross is cut out at source.
    • 11' Mayuka glances a header towards goal after Kalaba picked him out with another dangerous cross from the right. Just over.
    • 10' Libya have taken the lead against Senegal, meaning Zambia cannot slip up. You can follow that game here
    • 9' Juvemal goes for goal direct from a free-kick 35 yards out for EQG. Mweene gathers but that was a very decent strike from distance by Juvemal.
    • 7' Rather open stuff though. Neither side holding back at the moment.
    • 6' Sinkala gets forward for Zambia but is beaten to the ball buy the alert EQG keeper Danilo again.
    • 5' Danilo claims a cross as Kalaba whips in a high cross from the right for Zambia. Both sides pushing forward early on.
    • 3' A very open start in Malabo as Balboa gets into an advanced position down the EQG right, but his cross is plucked from the sky by Mweene.
    • 1' KICK OFF! Zambia get us underway.
    • 17.59 The national anthems have been sung (not briliantly) and a half empty Nuevo Estadio de Malabo is almost ready to go...
    • 17.57 Zambia are very much in with a shout of progressing tonight. A draw will see them through, but they need a win if they want to avoid Ivory Coast in the quarter-finals.
    • 17.55 Randy and Doe are suspended for EQG, while the hero from their last match, Kily, is rested. Nkausu replaces Kasonde at right-back for Zambia.
    • 17.50 EQUATORIAL GUINEA: Danilo; Dani Evuy, Bokung, Rui, Kamisoko; Juvemal, Konate; Bolado, Ekedo; Balboa, Fidjeu /// ZAMBIA: Mweene; Nkausu, Sunzu, Himoonde, Musonda; Sinkala; Lungu, Chansa, Kalaba; C Katongo; Mayuka.
    • 17.50 So let's kick things off with some team news...
    • 17.45 Hello everyone. It's time for more African Cup of Nations action, and tonight sees the unbeaten hosts Equatorial Guinea take on Zambia.

  • Summary

    • 69' EQG almost draw level through Juvemal's superb free-kick that clears the Zambia wall but, at the last moment, drifts just wide of the left post. Beautiful effort by arguably the best player on the pitch tonight.
    • 67' GOAL! Yes, a GOAL! Katonga has put Zambia 1-0 up with a rare moment of quality in this match. He skips in from the left wing, riding two challenges before firing low inside the bottom corner.
    • 40' Best chance of the game! Zambia fail to clear after several opportunities to do so and Juvemal picks out Bolado with a superb pass on the edge of the box, but Bolado's shot is smothered by Mweene, who comes off his line quickly to make the save.
    • 35' Play is underway and EQG are opened up straight away! A superb driving run through midfield by Kalaba opens up a huge gap, but Kalaba delays his pass to Katongo, who can only cross into the arms of Danilo after being forced wide.
    • 17.50 EQUATORIAL GUINEA: Danilo; Dani Evuy, Bokung, Rui, Kamisoko; Juvemal, Konate; Bolado, Ekedo; Balboa, Fidjeu /// ZAMBIA: Mweene; Nkausu, Sunzu, Himoonde, Musonda; Sinkala; Lungu, Chansa, Kalaba; C Katongo; Mayuka.

Team Line-up & Ratings

  • Equatorial Guinea

    Manager: Gílson Paulo

  • Zambia

    Manager: Herve Renard

  • Line-up

    Live Team Line-Up

  • Rate Players

    Rate Players

    Please to rate the players.

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    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      6.8 6
      Defenders
      5.6 6
      5.4 6
      5.6 5
      5.6 5
      Midfielders
      Substitution Out88′ 5.4 6
      6.5 8
      6.7 7
      Substitution Out76′ 6.1 6
      6 5
      Strikers
      Substitution Out47′ 5.4 4
      Subs
      Substitution In47′ 5.5 6
      Substitution In76′ 5 5
      Substitution In88′ 6 5
    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      9.6 7
      Defenders
      7.9 6
      8 6
      7.6 7
      7.7 6
      Midfielders
      Substitution Out74′ 8 7
      8 6
      8 6
      Substitution Out90′ 7.5 7
      Strikers
      Goal 9 7
      Substitution Out80′ 7.9 6
      Subs
      Substitution In80′ 4.5 5
      Substitution In90′ 5 5
      Substitution In74′ 5 5

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