Wednesday February 8, 2012 Semifinal Finished Estadio de Bata
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African Cup of Nations - Zambia shock Ghana
Ghana paid the penalty as Zambia scored with their only attack of the second half in a 1-0 win in their African Cup of Nations semi-final. More
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Live Commentary
Time:90'- Zambia
- Ghana
90+4' It is all over! Zambia complete a 1-0 win over favourites Ghana. What a result for Zambia, who are through to Sunday's final. They will face Ivory Coast or Mali in the final.- 90+2' Mweene given the decision as he nudges the ball away his first. Time the real enemy now for Ghana.
- 89' Four minutes to be added to the match.
- 88' Appeals for a penalty, but not given as Zambia scramble the ball clear.
- 87' Inkoom danced into the area, but Musonda makes the tackle. Frantic defending by Zambia.
- 86' Herve Renard's side have spent the second period having to defend, but they have scored with the one chance that fell to them. So close now.
85' Muntari takes over from Andre Ayew for Ghana. Last throw of the dice for Ghana.- 84' Ghana will have to get the job done now with only ten men. Can they haul themselves back into this contest. Must be a huge question mark over Ghana's prospects.
83' RED CARD FOR BOATENG! He is off for a second booking. Late challenge on an orange shirt speeding at him. A harsh decision, but the red card is out.- 82' Asamoah's shot cracks off an opposition player and flies over the bar. Corner to Ghana.
- 81' Mayuka tries to repeat the trick, but he fails to get the desired power on the shot as Larsen clutches the shot with some ease.
- 80' That goal is the first real shot of this half by Zambia. Ghana throw a few more bodies forward.
- 79' Mweene comes to take another ball as Andre Ayew rose in the area. Suddenly Ghana require a goal, and their need is pressing.
- 78' The Zambia substitute peels off John Boye before sending a shot curling beyond Mweene from 22 yards out. A 1-0 lead for Zambia with just over 10 minutes remaining.
77' GOAL! Mayuka scores for Zambia. The underdogs have the lead. Would you believe it.- 76' Meanwhile, Andre Ayew is on the deck and in need of some treatment. He gets back to his feet. The Ghana bench look a picture of tension.
- 75' The hunt for an opening goal continues. Ghana continue to keep possession, but they have not opened up this Zambian defence.
- 74' Gyan is given the hook for Ghana as Tagoe takes over from the striker. Bit of a surprising decision.
- 73' So Issac Vorsah takes over from Mensah. We continue with no goals. And no sign one arriving any time soon, it must be said.
- 72' Ghana down to ten men as the Black Stars try to work out who is the right man to replace Mensah.
- 71' Five bookings so far in this match. Meanwhile, Mensah is on the deck and not looking too good.
70' Chansa is the latest man to be booked as he clatters Annan.
69' Inkoom with a cross to the back post. Missed by Mweene, but Gyan heads wide. Inches wide from the forward with John Boye also rising. So close.- 68' A corner from Andre Ayew is fisted clear by Mweene.
- 67' Gyan doing a lot of running up front. Tireless running by the Ghana forward, but he sees Mweene thump the ball up the park.
- 66' Change coming for Zambia as Lungu replace Kasonde, who was on a booking from the first half.
- 65' A strong and purposeful run by Gyan. Gets the shot at goal, but Mweene was well positioned to make the save.
- 64' Andre Ayew with another free-kick from out wide, but again the delivery fails to trouble Zambia who again clear the danger without too much danger.
- 63' Looks like Chisamba is going to be given the nod by Zambia to enter the fray.
- 62' Boateng is booked for a knee in the back of Katongo. A little bit cynical that one from the Ghana midfielder.
- 61' Delivery from Andrew Ayew, but Gyan can only nod harmlessly over under pressure. A goalkick to Zambia.
- 60' An hour gone in this match as Inkooom is taken out late. Free-kick to Ghana.
- 59' Jordan Ayew decides to go for goal from the edge of the box, but his shot swerves over the bar. Well over.
- 58' Kalaba lumps the ball away from the feet of Andre Ayew. He has been a real danger to the Zambian defence today.
- 57' Asamoah tries to pick out Gyan in the box, but he has been well looked after by Sunzu. The high ball has not really been up Gyan's street in this match.
- 56' Zambia certainly looking as likely to score as Ghana at this point in time. The first goal will be vital here.
- 55' Ghana trying to win the Cup of Nations for the first time in 30 years. A fair bit of pressure to produce here as Boye is forced to knock the ball behind for a corner to Zambia.
- 54' John Boye and Asamoah trying to combine, but the move breaks down as Mweene collects the loose ball.
- 53' Musonda can only pick out Boateng as Ghana break up a possible Zambia attack.
- 52' A booking for Sunzu for that late tackle on Jordan Ayew.
- 51' John Boye heads over the bar from six yards out. Wasn't easy as the ball bounced in the box before he nodded over. Was a golden chance to net.
- 50' Jordan Ayew skips away from an organe shirt before he is brought down. Free-kick to Ghana.
- 49' One goal might win this goal for either side. Jordan Ayew brings out a decent diving save from Mweene, who has to keep his eye on the ball.
- 48' Bit of a surprise Mayuka never started this match, but he has the chance to impress here and now. What would Zambia give for a goal from him here.
- 47' Emmanuel Mayuka has been thrown into the action by Zambia at the outset of this second period with Chamanga departing.
46' We are off and running in this second period. All to play for here.- 45+1' There goes the whistle for the break. It remains 0-0 at the interval. Finely poised ahead of the second period.
- 44' One minute to be added to the first period.
- 44' Sunzu needing a spot of treatment after taking a sore one when he landed on the deck.
- 43' Sunzu clatters the ball away with Ghana again threatening. Fine defending by Sunzu. Gyan with the header seconds later, but Sunzu is there to put off the Ghana forward.
- 42' Gyan slips the ball out to Inkoom, who overhits the cross by some margin. Ball flies out of play on the other side of the pitch.
- 41' Zambia’s Nathan Sinkala has made the highest number of interceptions per game in the tournament (6.5).
- 40' Asamoah sees an effort deflect wide of goal. Fine run and shot, but Zambia do enough again to thwart Ghana midfielder.
- 39' Boateng feels the full force of a late boot by Katongo. A bit late with that one. Lucky to avoid a booking.
- 38' A run up the park by Inkoom. Scurries at some pace, but difficult to pick out space easily with Zambia pretty well organised.
- 37' "Ghana been my favourites every year but Zambia have won me ova ths time! cmon Zambia!!" comments Yahoo Eurosport reader Jason.
- 36' Andre Ayew with the corner. Mweene comes to collect, but misses the loose ball. Zambia hack it clear. Dangerous times for Zambia.
- 35' Inmoom tries to cut a dash into the area before Sinkala makes the tackle. Corner to Ghana.
- 34' Kantongo chasing his fourth straight goal in this tournament. Game continues to exude an air of unpredictability in the rain.
- 33' A super chance at the other end as Katongo is presented with the chance from 10 yards out. Knocks the shot wide of goal. Best chance of the match so far.
- 32' Lovely delivery by Andre Ayew, but Jordan Ayew has completely missed his volley from 10 yards out. Golden chance for Ghana, but not taken.
- 31' Andre Ayew taken out of the game late 30 yards from the Zambia goal. Free-kick to be taken by Andre Ayew.
- 30' Addy with the chipped ball forward, but no takers for Ghana as the opposition defence clear the danger.
29' Boye steps up to play Chamanga offside. A dangerous game by Ghana. Has to get those offside moves spot on playing a high line.- 28' Addy looks for Gyan with the long ball. The striker wins the header, but it falls into the path of Mweene. Not the most clever ball in the world. Needs to be better than that by Ghana.
- 27' Zambia looking to reach the final for the third time while Ghana are bidding for a ninth appearance in the final.
- 26' Must have been an offside decision as they are back off and running again with Ghana in possession.
- 25' Chansa with a lovely cross from out wide. Superb delivery, but Boye is there to head behind.
- 24' The Black Stars trying to get Ayew on the ball as much as possible, but Zambia are again back in numbers to disrupt the play.
- 23' Boateng with a crunching tackle on Chamanga. That was a real bone cruncher. Just making sure the Zambia forward knows he is around. Or something like that.
- 22' Zambia keeping possession again. Looking very neat and tidy on the ball, but can they carve out a change.
- 21' Plenty of noise from the Ghana fans. Gyan can't get enough power on the shot as Mweene takes the loose ball. Fine run and cross by Ayew.
- 20' Zambia coach Herve Renard is soaking wet in a white shirt. He is none too happy with his team so far. Demanding more.
- 19' Zambia trying to pick out space. Not easy with Ghana holding a decent line at the back. Good possession before a shot is easily held by Larsen.
- 18' Inkoom proving to be a bit of a thorn in the side of Zambia with some decent work out wide. So far, so good though for Zambia, who have not shipped any goals.
- 17' Mweene almost caught in possession, but does just enough to scramble the ball clear with his big right boot. Dangerous play it must be said.
- 16' Kasonde was booked moments earlier for a late tackle on Boye. Perhaps that was retribution.
- 15' Crazy challenge really as Chansa wasn't going anywhere.
- 14' John Boye is booked for a late challenge on Chansa. He is out of the final if Ghana get there.
- 13' Ayew darts between two Zambia players. Gets the decision right on the edge of the Zambia box. Free-kick.
- 12' Ghana suddenly finding their stride in this rain as Zambia are pushed back. Kalaba is going to take a long throw-in before Ayew sees a shot blocked.
- 11' Mweene forced to make another diving save from Gyan. He is having an exceptional match so far.
- 10' Ghana’s Andre Ayew is the most regularly fouled player in the tournament, winning 5.75 fouls per game.
- 9' Save by Mweene! He dives to his left to make the save from Gyan. Fine diving stop. Wasn't the most powerful of penalties. Zambia thrilled to escape.
- 8' PENALTY TO GHANA! Asamaoh taken out by Nkausu with a late challenge. Was a soft penalty, but it has been given.
- 7' Can't be easy getting up for this game with so few people in attendance. Doesn't exactly befit a semi-final. Amazing to think the organisers expected 35,000 to wash up for this match.
- 6' "I see Zambia going through surprisingly - 2-1" says Yahoo Eurosport reader Emeka.
- 5' Gyan just bundled off the ball from Inkoom's pass as Ghana try to piece together their first meaningful move of the match.
- 4' Ghana have scored a total of only one goal in their last three ACN semi-final appearances. Good stat if Zambia are looking for any heart here.
- 3' Zambia win a corner. Sunzu catches Mensah with a late tackle in the box, but no whistle from the referee. Rain continues to fall.
- 2' Pressure all on Ghana in this one. Zambia underdogs, but they are moving forward with some menace early on. Chansa with the shot that deflects well over the bar.
1' We are off and running. Zambia kick off. Pitch looking in decent condition.- 15.55 Teams heading out for this opening semi-final. A bit of rain falling overheard. Zambia in orange, Ghana in white.
- 15.50 Smart money is on Ghana facing Ivory Coast in the final of this tournament. Betting for this match favours the 2010 World Cup quarter-finalists. Zambia 3/1, Ghana 19/20, Draw 23/10.
- 15.45 Both of Zambia’s ACN semi-final wins have seen them score four goals (4-2 v Congo in 1974 & 4-0 v Mali in 1994). Zambia’s other three appearances at this stage have seen them lose in 90 minutes.
- 15.35 Teams: Ghana: Kwarasey; Inkoom, Lee Addy, John Mensah, Boye; Annan, Boateng; Dede Ayew, Asamoah, Jordan Ayew; Gyan////Zambia: Mweene; Kasonde, Sunzu, Himoonde, Musonda; Nkausu, Sinkala; Chansa, Kalaba; Katongo, Chamanga
- 15.30 Ghana boss Goran Stevanovic: "Playing in the final is the least everyone expects from us. We relish being among the favourites and there is additional pressure on the team - I have told them many times that Ghana must win the Cup of Nations for the first time in 30 years."
- 15.25 Zambia manager Herve Renard: "They have been the best team in Africa in the past few years, they almost reached the World Cup semi-final. We will need something special to beat them."
- 15.20 Ghana are awaiting news on defender John Mensah who was forced off due to injury in the quarter-final win over Tunisia. They have also had one less day to prepare for the contest and a delay in a flight caused disruption to their training plans on Monday.
- 15.15 Zambia are at full strength ahead of the semi-final and looking to captain Chris Katongo and Young Boys striker Emmanuel Mayuka for inspiration as they seek to upset the odds.
- - Zambia v Ghana for a place in the African Cup of Nations semi-final - stay here for live text commentary from 15:15 GMT, with the match beginning at 16:00.
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Summary
- 83' RED CARD FOR BOATENG! He is off for a second booking. Late challenge on an orange shirt speeding at him. A harsh decision, but the red card is out.
- 77' GOAL! Mayuka scores for Zambia. The underdogs have the lead. Would you believe it.
- 69' Inkoom with a cross to the back post. Missed by Mweene, but Gyan heads wide. Inches wide from the forward with John Boye also rising. So close.
- 65' A strong and purposeful run by Gyan. Gets the shot at goal, but Mweene was well positioned to make the save.
- 51' John Boye heads over the bar from six yards out. Wasn't easy as the ball bounced in the box before he nodded over. Was a golden chance to net.
- 49' One goal might win this goal for either side. Jordan Ayew brings out a decent diving save from Mweene, who has to keep his eye on the ball.
- 33' A super chance at the other end as Katongo is presented with the chance from 10 yards out. Knocks the shot wide of goal. Best chance of the match so far.
- 32' Lovely delivery by Andre Ayew, but Jordan Ayew has completely missed his volley from 10 yards out. Golden chance for Ghana, but not taken.
- 11' Mweene forced to make another diving save from Gyan. He is having an exceptional match so far.
- 9' Save by Mweene! He dives to his left to make the save from Gyan. Fine diving stop. Wasn't the most powerful of penalties. Zambia thrilled to escape.
- 8' PENALTY TO GHANA! Asamaoh taken out by Nkausu with a late challenge. Was a soft penalty, but it has been given.
- 15.35 Teams: Ghana: Kwarasey; Inkoom, Lee Addy, John Mensah, Boye; Annan, Boateng; Dede Ayew, Asamoah, Jordan Ayew; Gyan////Zambia: Mweene; Kasonde, Sunzu, Himoonde, Musonda; Nkausu, Sinkala; Chansa, Kalaba; Katongo, Chamanga
Team Line-up & Ratings
ZambiaManager: Herve Renard
GhanaManager: Goran Stevanovic
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Line-up
Live Team Line-Up
Starting line-up
- K. Mweene
- D. Nkausu
- S. Sunzu
- H. Himoonde
- J. Musonda
- I. Chansa
- N. Sinkala
- F. Kasonde
- R. Kalaba
- C. Katongo
- J. Chamanga
Subs
Starting line-up
- A. Kwarasey
- S. Inkoom
- J. Boye
- J. Mensah
- L. Addy
- A. Annan
- D. Boateng
- A. Ayew
- K. Asamoah
- J. Ayew
- A. Gyan
Subs
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Rate Players
45′ 