AFCON 2012: Ghana, Mali get hard-earned semis

  1. Posted on Tuesday 7 February 2012 - 10:33
    Walter
    Image of Walter
    Walter Nana Wilson, AfricaNews reporter in Buea, Cameroon
    The Black Stars of Ghana and the Eagles of Mali are at the semi-finals of the ongoing Orange AFCON 2012. Before now it was not easy task for both teams. The John Mensah led Black Stars of Ghana had to go through the eye-of-a-needle-like situation, beating a very tough Carthage of Eagles squad from Tunisia, 2-1 after 120 minutes of play.
    Ghana celebrate goal
    The organiser of the Ghanaian team, Marseille offensive midfielder, Andre ‘Dede’ Ayew, scored the winning and second goal at the 101 minute of the match to take Ghana into the prestigious semis of AFCON 2012.

    It was Ghana’s 101st goal in the history of AFCON. Earlier at the 10th minute, Captain John Mensah, donning jersey number 5 headed in the opener from a corner kick, just like he did in their first match against the Zebras of Botswana during the group stages. Mensah’s goal was Ghana’s 100th goal in the history of AFCON.

    After Mensah’s goal, Tunisia came from behind to draw level at the 42nd minute with another header from Saber Khalifa.

    At regular play time, it was one goal each way, before Andre Ayew, son of Ghanaian legendary footballer, Abedi Pele will make the difference during the 30 minutes extra time.

    At the close of the game, the Ghanaian AFCON 2012 team dedicated their hard-fought 2-1 Africa Nations Cup quarter-final win over Tunisia to bereaved teammate Anthony Annan.

    The Black Stars wore black armbands as a sign of respect to Madam Sophia Sampson, the mother of Annan, who died Thursday, February 2 2012.

    Annan played in full throttle in his usual central midfield role despite the emotional situation he was facing.

    Captain John Mensah told journalists in Franceville, Gabon that the win is a befitting parting present to the Annan family. "We dedicate this victory to Anthony Annan especially his mother because we all know he lost his mother when we were preparing for a tough game like this," Mensah said. "So we dedicated this win to him (Annan) and the whole of Ghana as well," he added.

    The Black Stars left Franceville Monday, February 6 2012 for Bata, Equatorial Guinea, where they play the Chipolopolo of Zambia in Wednesday’s one of two semi
    finals.

    In Semi-finals number three played earlier in Libreville, Gabon, the Malians spoiled a would-be semi-finals party for Co-hosts, Gabon. After a one all draw in 120 minutes of football match, Gabon lost 4-5 after penalty shoot-outs.

    Star player for Gabon, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang lost the fourth penalty for the Azingo Nationale, while Barcelona player and Malian born Seydou Keita took a modest Malian team to the semis, when he carefully, netted the last and fifth penalty for the Eagles of Mali.

    Wednesday, February 8 2012, Mali take on a very spirited Elephants of Ivory Coast at the semis in Libreville.

Reactions

  1. Posted on Friday 02 March 2012 20:20
    MrWashington
    Image of MrWashington


    511 berichten
    Lid sinds January 2010

    jordy dominguez :main idea . At regular play time, it was one goal each way before Andre Ayew, son of Ghanaian legendary footballer, Abedi Pele will make the differnce during the 30 min extra time.
    at the 10th minute, Captain John Mensah, donning jersey number five headed in the opener from a corner kick.After Mensah’s goal, Tunisia came from behind to draw level at the 42nd min with another header from Saber Khalifa.and thay play good.
    from (jordy dominguez ) :)
    la chava
  2. Posted on Friday 02 March 2012 20:26
    MrWashington
    Image of MrWashington


    511 berichten
    Lid sinds January 2010

    jordy dominguez. this is a soocer game that thay won and thay made a gaol and the other player got mad but thay still won .at the 42 min with another header from Saber Khalifa.and thay play good.
    n . by jordy dominguez
    la chava

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