Zambia booked their place in the Sundays African Cup of Nations final, a competition they have never won, after a late but superb goal from substitute Emmanuel Mayuka stunned 10-man Ghana who dominated the game in Bata.Mayuka curled home his winner from the edge of the area with 12 minutes remaining and Ghanas hopes of a comeback were all but ended with the dismi sal of Derek Boatengsoon after.Black Stars striker Asamoah Gyan was made to rue his first-half penalty mi s, and a host of other chances, as the unfancied Zambians reached the final for the first time in 18 years.Mweene saves Asamaoh Gyans early penalty
Ahead of the game Ghana coach Goran Stevanovic made three changes to the team he fielded in Sundays quarter-final against Tunisia. Derek Boateng came in for injured Emmanuel
Ibi Watson Jersey Agyemang Badu. Defender Lee Addy replaced Alha san Masahudu, while Jordan Ayew got the nod ahead of Sulley Muntari. Captain John Mensah won his battle for fitne s and started for the Black Stars.Zambia coach Herve Renard made two changes. Francis Kasonde and James Chamanga came in to the side, while Chisamba Lungu and Emmanuel Mayuka were relegated to the bench.From the off Zambia took the game to Ghana with Isaac Chansa firing one in from distance after just two minutes but his
Archie Griffin Jersey shot went over. A string of consecutive corners saw Zambias energetic start to the game start to take shape but the Black Stars defence cleared their line to calm proceedings.Yet despite the positive start Zambia looked certain to go behind early into the match when Davis Nkausu tripped Kwadwo Asamoah in the area to concede an early penalty. It was Asamaoh Gyan who stepped up to take the spot kick but his tame effort was saved by Kennedy Mweene who palmed away the attempt.It was now Ghanas turn to dominate po se sion with Gyan shooting from distance but Mweene once again palmed away his attempt. Brothers Andre and Jordan Ayew showed some neat link-up play as they strove to get in behind the Zambian defence and despite countle s more attempts
Tennessee Volunteers Jersey from Gyan and his strike partner Kwadwo Asamoah in the first-half Ghana just couldnt get the ball in the net.Zambia did get back on the ball on 30 minutes and mi sed a glorious chance on the half-hour when Christopher Katongo was brilliantly played in behind the defence by Rainford Kalaba who twisted and turned his way through the Ghanaian defence before handing a shot on a plate for Katongo who fired just wide.Ghanas best chance of the half came on 33 minutes when Jordan Ayew scuffed an absolute sitter after his brother played in a wonderful cro s but he totally mi sed at the far post.HALF-TIME: ZAMBIA 0-0 GHANAAgain after the break it was Ghana who were storming forward, Jordan Ayew with a right foot effort at Mweenes near post on 51 minutes but the shot stopper proved to be a hero once again when he gathered well on a greasy surface.With the pace of the game slowed and the match mainly one-way traffic for Ghana it
Devon Kennard Jersey was Emmanuel Mayuka, who came on at half-time to replace James Chamanga, who looked to change things making an immediate impact when he broke down the right but his cro s was snuffed out by John Boye.By this point Ghana would have been wondering just what they had to do to get a goal. They were completely dominating play but Mweene was getting in the way of everything they could produce. Firstly Jordan Ayew skied his effort, then Andre Ayews in-swinging cro s met the head of Gyan but his attempt went straight into the gloves of Mweene. Gyan had another try when he burst into the box past four Zambian defenders but shot straight at Mweene and minutes later Gyan was foiled once again when another headed attempt was sent wide thanks to pre sure form, you gue sed it, Mweene.Surprisingly Gyan was then withdrawn from the game on 76 when he was replaced by Prince Tagoe as Goren Stevanovic tried to shake it up at the front. The tactical change didnt pay off though as just two minutes later Zambia stunned everyone when Mayuka curled home from the edge of the area as his shot bounced of the post and steered into the bottom corner of the
Notre Dame Fighting Irish Jersey Sale goal. Undeniably an amazing strike but one that made Ghana pay for all of their mi sed opportunities.Three minutes later Zambia then tried to make it two when Mweene stole the ball for the head of Andre Ayew and broke quickly to send Rainford Kalaba through but he fired straight at Adam Kwarasey.Ghana really did make the task difficult for themselves five minutes before the end when Derek Boateng picked up a second yellow card for a foul on Isaac Chansa. Yet the Black Stars refused to give up desperately delivering everything into the box but Zambia stood strong and cleared away with Herve Renard screaming at his players to hang on. Finally Ghana had to succumb to defeat when in the closing stages Tagoe was denied by Mweene once again.FULL-TIME: ZAMBIA 1-0 GHANAHeart break for Ghana as they crashed out of the tournament at the semi-finals stages. In the tournament that they were favourites to win right from the start the Black Stars never hit their full potential with lacklustre performances in all of their games and are now left to face up to the harsh reality that mi sed chances cost their place in
Jack Roggin Jersey the final. Oh well theres always next year I gue s.Ghana will now play Mali for the second time in the tournament in the third place play-off on Saturday.Zambia: Kennedy Mweene, Francis Kasonde, Joseph Musonda, Hichani Himoonde, Davies Nkausu, Isaac Chansa, Chris Katongo, Stoppila Sunzu, Rainford Kalaba, Nathan Sinkala, James Chamanga.Ghana: Adam Kwarasey, Samuel Inkoom, Lee Addy, John Mensah, John Boye, Kwadwo Asamoah, Anthony Annan, Derek Boateng, Asamoah Gyan, Andre Ayew, Jordan Ayew.
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