1. Posted on Thursday 9 February 2012 - 11:36

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   Walter

   

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   Walter Nana Wilson, AfricaNews reporter in Buea, Cameroon

   A very respected Black Stars of Ghana team was squashed by the Copper Bullets of Zambia, 0-1 in an all-action semi-finals number one played in Estadio de Bata, Equatorial Guinea, Wednesday. Substitute Emmanuel Mayuka scored 12 minutes from time to give Zambia a shock 1-0 win over four-time champions Ghana and secure a place at the AFCON 2012 final.

   

   The goal came against the run of play with Isaac Chansa setting up the 20-year-old striker, whose shot from outside the penalty area flew past goalkeeper Adam Kwarasey into the corner of the net.
   
   Zambia now go to Libreville for an emotional showdown with Ivory Coast on Sunday, February 12 2012 as it was off the Gabon coast that a plane carrying the April 27 1993 squad plunged into the Atlantic ocean killing all 25 players and officials on board.
   
   "It was written in the stars that we had to return to Gabon in order to honour the memories of the national side wiped out in 1993," said Zambia's French coach, Herve Renard. "A team that is returning home and all of them die, is catastrophic for a country. Twelve million Zambians wanted us to go the whole way to Libreville.
   As soon as we arrive in Libreville, we will go to the spot where the plane crashed, not far from the stadium. It is imperative we play for them, for Zambia, because it is a fantastic country," Renard, who is said to be superstitious noted.
   
   Ghana coach and Serbian born Goran Stevanovic took defeat so badly, he refused to appear at the press conference and it was left to his assistant, Akwasi Appiah to assess the match.
   
   "We dominated almost all the match, they had only one or two opportunities, and scored with one of them," said Appiah. "Zambia is a huge footballing nation; they deserve to be in the final. Everyone is very sad, the majority of the players cried," Appiah mentioned.
   
   “I don’t personally think anything went wrong. It is just one of those things in the game,” he added.
   The result dashed the hopes of the Black Stars as their chase for their fifth title must wait until next year in South Africa.
   
   It will be the third final appearance by the Copper Bullets after losing to Zaire after a replay in 1974 and to Nigeria 20 years later with a team built within 12 months after the tragedy.
   
   The Black Stars were favourites and the early exchanges backed that view with the four-time champions squandering a great chance to take an early lead when forward Asamoah Gyan failed to convert a penalty.
   
   Awarded for a foul on Kwadwo Asamoah by Davies Nkausu, Gyan did not strike the spot kick with great power and Kennedy Mweene guessed correctly, dived to his left and pushed the ball away with his left hand.
   
   Gyan, whose three goals were instrumental in Ghana reaching the AFCON 2010 final, was not at his sharpest and shot timidly at Mweene soon after when put through by Andre Ayew.
   
   Jordan Ayew, younger brother of Andre and son of Ghana legendary Abedi 'Pele' Ayew, was another culprit when he broke free inside the box but failed to connect with a delicate chip over the defence.
   
   With the Black Stars doing most of the pressing, scoring chances for the Copper Bullets were few and far between although captain Christopher Katongo should have done better than blaze wide when set up by Rainford Kalaba.
   
   Renard had a change of mind at halftime regarding his lone striker and introduced Mayuka for James Chamanga, hoping the young Switzerland-based star could add to two goals early in the tournament, which he did.
   
   PSL Praise Zambia
   
   Premier Soccer League (South African football league) CEO, Stan Matthews, has heaped praise on the Zambian national team after they defeated a spirited Ghana outfit to reach the final of AFCON 2012.
   
   In what will be a classic ‘West vs Southern’ Africa, the Zambians will take on the star-studded Ivory Coast on Sunday, February 12.
   
   Matthews acknowledged that it was a proud evening for Chipolopolo, but at the same time a significant moment for the PSL.
   
   This as seven players in the Zambian squad ply their trade in the PSL – Davies Nkausu (SuperSport United), Isaac Chansa (Orlando Pirates), Joseph Musonda (Golden Arrows), Kennedy Mweene (Free State Stars), Collins Mbesuma (Golden Arrows), Kampamba Chintu (Bidvest Wits) and Noah Chivuta (Free State Stars). The number goes to eight when including Clifford Mulenga (Bloemfontein Celtic) who was in the original squad.
   
   “The fact that it has been current and former PSL players contributing to the success of the Zambian team indicates the strength and the high standard of football in the PSL,” says Matthews. “We are proud of their achievements as they have demonstrated to the continent and the world that the PSL is a competitive League to play in,” he mentioned.
   
   In the second semi-finals played in Libreville, in the presence of Gabonese President, Ali Ben Mbongo and football legend from Brazil, Pele, top-ranked Ivory Coast lived up to their billing by reaching the AFCON final.
   
   A breathtaking breakaway goal from Gervinho Yao, secured the expected win for Ivory Coast, the highest world-ranked side in African football, over the Eagles of Mali, managed by Frenchman Alain Giresse.
   
   Gervinho's solo moment of brilliance deep into the first half gave the Elephants a 1-0 win and left them on a collision course with Zambia. The pair meet back at Libreville's L'Amitie stadium on Sunday.
   
   For the Ivorians, this will be their first appearance in the Nations Cup climax since they were beaten by Egypt in Cairo in 2006. They are seeking their second continental title after a lone success 20 years ago.
   
   Winning Ivorian coach Francois Zahoui said: "We had to manage some difficult times but luckily we scored just before the end of the first half. I'm proud of the boys, they managed the game with calmness and patience, and a little stress. We weren't expecting such a tough game. I'm surprised by the work (Mali coach) Alain Giresse has done with his team, hats off to them."
   
   Giresse, an experienced coaching hand in Africa, said that reality had bitten his inexperienced side.

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Reactions

1. Posted on Friday 02 March 2012 20:02

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   MrWashington

   

   
   511 berichten
   Lid sinds January 2010

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   hi

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   la chava

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