Zambia in AFCON final

ZAMBIA last night stormed the Orange Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals after stunning favourites, Ghana in a tough semi-final match to face Ivory Coast in the final. The Chipolopolo made

an emotional return to the AFCON finals after an 18-year lull and are now targeting for a historic cup victory in Gabon – the country where the entire Zambia squad perished off the coast of Libreville in 1993. It was a sweet victory for this resilient Chipolopolo side that showed a lot of determination and team spirit before knocking out a much-fancied but wasteful Black Stars side. Ghana paid dearly for missing a first half penalty only for inform striker Emmanuel Mayuka to punish them with a late strike. Credit should also go to Zambia goalkeeper, Kennedy Mweene for putting up a man-of-the-match performance, denying the Ghanaians goals. Mayuka gave Zambia the victory on 77 minutes with a beautiful curler which brushed the post before rolling into Larsen Kwarasey goal. Ghana top striker, Asamoah Gyan must be cursing himself for missing a seventh minute penalty after Algerian referee Mohamed Benouza awarded them a spot-kick. As Benouza blew to end the match, the Zambian technical staff and players poured on the pitch to celebrate with the local Equatorial Guinea fans giving the Chipolopolo a standing ovasion. The Chipolopolo shift to Libreville today in readiness for Sunday’s final match. Zambia started this first semi-final match brightly, searching for an early goal but it was Ghana who had the best opportunity when Algerian referee Mohamed Benouza awarded them a penalty on seven minutes. Benouza adjudged defender Davies Nkausu to have handled in the box as he tried to clear the danger. However, goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene came to rescue of the Chipolopolo when he kept out a poorly taken Asamoah Gyan penalty kick. With some showers drizzling on the pitch, Ghana kept up the pressure and Mweene was summoned to duty two minutes to deny Gyan again, this time palming a long-range shot. As Ghana players kept pouring into the Zambian territory, the Chipolopolo backline defended solidly to ensure nothing changed on the scoreboard. After soaking up the pressure, Zambia broke back into the Ghana half on 21 minutes, only for Nathan Sinkala to fire straight at Kwarasey after being set-up by Rainford Kalaba on the edge of the box. Two minutes later, Zambia survived another Ghana scare but Gyan scuffed his shot after Andre Ayew laid for him, allowing Mweene to scoop the ball. On 31 minutes, Ayew floated a juicy cross to his sibling, Jordan only for the latter to miss the ball at the far post. The Chipolopolo’s best of the half came on 32 minutesA minute later, Kalaba rounded up three Black Stars defenders before laying it for skipper Christopher Katongo, who shot wide with only only the goalkeeper to beat. Zambia defended well, giving the likes of Gyan and Andre Ayew no clear sight of goal and ensured a 0-0 scoreline at break. After restart, coach Herve Renard rested ineffective striker James Chamanga for Mayuka. The Black Stars continued with where they left from the first half with Andre Ayew and Samuel Inkoom being the constant menace to the Zambian backline. Mayuka made an instant impact on this match and on 55 minutes he saw his well-served cross aimed at Katongo being cut out on the by-line by John Boye. On 65 minutes, Gyan had the sight of goal again but Hichani Himoonde and Stoppila Sunzu narrowed his angle, only for him to shoot direct at Mweene. With Ghana still looking dangerous, Renard introduced the pacey Chisamba Lungu for Francis Kasonde. On 77 minutes, Mayuka finally broke the deadlock when he curled in Isaac Chansa’s pass inside the box. The goal was a wake up call for Ghana as they surged ahead but the Chipolopolo defence stood firm. Nine minutes to time, Kalaba could have added the second for Zambia but his shot was saved by Kwarasey. Owusu Boateng was sent-off on 83 minutes for a second bookable offence after tripping Chansa. Ghana searched but in vain for an equalizer as Zambia ensured they reached the AFCON finals for the first time since 1994. The Black Stars will now have to seek solace in Saturday’s third-place play-off in Malabo. Line-ups: Zambia – Kennedy Mweene, Davies Nkausu, Joseph Musonda, Francis Kasonde (Chisamba Lungu 66th), Hichani Himoonde, Stoppila Sunzu, Isaac Chansa, Christopher Katongo, Nathan Sinkala, James Chamanga (Emmanuel Mayuka 46th), Rainford Kalaba. Ghana – Larsen Kwarasey, John Mensah (Isaac Vorsah 72nd), Samuel Inkoom, John Boye, Anthony Annan, Lee Addy, Andre Ayew (Sulley Muntari 86th), Kwadwo Asamoah, Asamoah Gyan (Prince Tagoe 74th), Derek Boateng, Jordan Ayew. Referee – Mohamed Benouza (Algeria)