| Goals | Goals |
|---|---|
| 20. Emmanuel Mayuka (78’) |
Zambia upset Ghana for final place
Emmanuel Mayuka of Zambia celebrates his goal
Chipolopolo will be appearing in their first continental final since they lost the 1994 decider to Nigeria and few will argue that they do not deserve it for their thrilling play right through this tournament.
They rode their luck against Ghana, who missed an early penalty through Asamoah Gyan, but a lone goal from substitute Emmanuel Mayuka late in the second half proved decisive for the Southern Africans.
The star-studded Black Stars came into the match as favourites but two of their key men, defender Jonathan Mensah and striker Gyan, were not 100 percent fit and it showed later in the game, while they finished the match with 10 men after Derek Boateng received his marching orders.
Gyan should have put his side ahead on seven minutes when he saw his spot-kick saved by Zambian goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene after Davies Nkausu had fouled Kwadwo Asamoah.
Mweene again saved from Gyan soon afterwards, this time from open play, while the striker then scuffed his shot from a brilliant lay-off by Andre Ayew as the chances mounted for the Ghanains.
Perhaps the best of the half fell to Jordan Ayew, who found himself eight-yards out with not a defender in sight from brother Andre’s free-kick, but completely missed the ball when it seemed all he had to do was side-foot home.
Zambia’s best chance of the half fell to Chris Katongo, who was played in on goal by Rainford Kalaba, but put his shot from 10-yards went wide with just Adam Kwarasey in the Ghana goal to beat.
Mayuka came on for the ineffective James Chamanga at halftime and his extra pace started to give Ghana problems, though the Black Stars continued to have much of the play.
Jordan Ayew forced a smart save from Mweene low to his left, while Gyan shot wide and then had a free header from a Mweene mistake that he could not direct on target.
Mensah and Gyan left the pitch within minutes of each other as it was clear they were not up to the pace of the game, and just minutes after that Zambia were ahead.
Mayuka collected the ball on the edge of the area and the Ghana defence stood off him long enough for him to pick his spot and curl a side-footed shot past a helpless Kwarasey to give Chipolopolo the lead.
Boateng received his red card six minutes from time after a cynical block on Kalaba that produced a second yellow of the game for him and by that time it looked as though Ghana had no more fight.
Zambia saw out the remaining minutes fairly comfortably and appeared to do their own version of the New Zealand Haka after the final whistle, before breaking into wild celebration.
They are the only ones who appear to have believed they could go all the way in this tournament and now they are set for an emotional return to Gabon some 19 years after a tragic plane crash off the coast there saw the country lose an entire generation of footballers. Perhaps this group will write their names into the history books.
Zambia surprises Ghana for the game they played last nit,
making Ghana underdogs this is to make them aware the dangers of Zambian football,
this how we are going to make ivory cost cause us far us drogba is concern ivory will loss cause drogba is a weakest player even in Chelsea.
i have been supporting Chelsea but i stopped because of the same person IM talking about.
Zambian team let us shame drogba with his team ivory cost they're are just culprits go Zambia go to bring Africa cup of nation here,Zambian have a greatest support of u guys be strong and organized, work with a teamwork.
Zambia surprises Ghana for the game they played last nit,
making Ghana underdogs this is to make them aware the dangers of Zambian football,
this how we are going to make ivory cost cause us far us drogba is concern ivory will loss cause drogba is a weakest player even in Chelsea.
i have been supporting Chelsea but i stopped because of the same person IM talking about.
Zambian team let us shame drogba with his team ivory cost they're are just culprits go Zambia go to bring Africa cup of nation here,Zambian have a greatest support of guys be strong and organized work with a team.
zambia suprises ghana for the game they played last nit,
making ghana underdogs this to them awere the dangers of zambian football,
this how we are going to make ivory cost
Its our time,chance n year.Zambia wil do it again against the elephants coz ther wil b more copper bullets capable 4 elephants
watch out ivory coast for zambia as the stoped playing with the name of the team or players. They play the game in the pitch and the work with time thats 90minutes. We don't believe in extra time. Go zambia Go. Show them that u are the copper bullet(chipolopolo) and u can kill who ever is on your way.
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