Equatorial Guinea vs Zambia - 2012 Africa Cup of Nations - Live Play by Play

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Zambia

Match 17 - Sun 29 January, 19:00, Nuevo Estadio de Malabo

Goals	Goals
	11. Christopher Katongo (67’)

Play by Play

live commentary

	– Good evening and welcome to live coverage of the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations Group A match between Equatorial Guinea and Zambia from Nuevo Estadio de Malabo.
	– This match will decide who wins the pool: a draw would be enough for the co-hosts to top the standings, while Zambia need a win to leapfrog them.
	– The Southern Africans are not yet certain of a place in the quarterfinals, though a draw would be enough for them to progress.
	– They could still reach the last eight if they lose, but they will then be relying on events in the other Group A game between Libya and Senegal (which kicks-off simultaneously to this one) going their way.
	– Here are the line-ups...
	– Equatorial Guinea: Danilo; Daniel Vazquez, Rui da Gracia, Fousseny Kamissoko, Juvenal Edjogo Owono, Ivan Bolado, Javier Balboa, Thierry Fidjeu, Ben Konate, Daniel Ekedo, Jose Bokung
	– Zambia: Kennedy Mweene; Chisamba Lungu, Joseph Musonda, Hichani Himoonde, Davies Nkausu, Nathan Sinkala, Isaac Chansa, Stoppila Sunzu, Rainford Kalaba, Chris Katongo, Emmanuel Mayuka
	1’ – We are underway in Malabo! Equatorial Guinea wear all-red, Zambia are in green and black.
	2’ – There�s a nice cut and thrust to the game even in these early minutes.
	3’ – Chris Katongo with a long range shot but it�s well wide of the target.
	5’ – Javier Balboa swings in a cross from the right flank, well claimed by Kennedy Mweene.
	6’ – Equatorial Guinea with a free kick in a useful position but in the end Javier Balboa�s cross is behind for a goal kick to Zambia.
	7’ – Rainford Kalaba with a good run and cross from the right, but it�s straight into the hands of goalkeeper Danilo.
	9’ – Thierry Fidjeu wins a free kick for the home side about 35 metres from goal. Juvenal Edjogo Owono shoots from the set piece, comfortable save for Kennedy Mweene.
	10’ – Emmanuel Mayuka wins a flick-on header in the penalty area but it�s just over the crossbar.
	11’ – News from the other Group A game in Bata is that Libya are 1-0 up against Senegal.
	12’ – So that puts a little more pressure on Zambia, though as the scores stand now they will qualify for the quarterfinals...
	14’ – In fact it�s now 1-1 in Bata, Senegal have brought themselves level. Here in Malabo the game is going through a bit of a lull...
	15’ – Daniel Ekedo cuts inside from the left and shoots, but his effort is pulled well wide of the near post.
	16’ – Fousseny Kamissoko makes a vital interception to stop a ball over the top reaching Emmanuel Mayuka.
	18’ – Free kick Zambia on their left flank. Rainford Kalaba crosses but Danilo makes an easy catch on his goal line.
	19’ – Zambia are shading this game at the moment, but it�s still 0-0 on the score line.
	21’ – Juvenal Edjogo Owono with a searching cross from a free kick, it�s nodded behind for a corner to the home side.
	22’ – The corner is cleared initially before Juvenal Edjogo Owono gets in another cross, but Zambia defend solidly.
	23’ – Midway through the first half. Still 0-0 between Equatorial Guinea and Zambia.
	24’ – And it�s still 1-1 between Libya and Senegal in Bata.
	25’ – Another corner to E. Guinea, Juvenal Edjogo Owono crosses to the far post and it�s just too far for Daniel Ekedo to get onto it.
	27’ – Zambia win a free kick wide on their right flank. Rainford Kalaba fires a cross into the box after exchanging passes with Chris Katongo, but Danilo punches clear.
	28’ – The Equatorial Guinea �keeper has looked pretty keen to get off his line whenever possible, so Zambia may have to be a bit smarter with their set pieces...
	30’ – We�ve reached the half hour mark. Still goalless and, as it stands, E. Guinea will top the group, Zambia to join them in the quarterfinals.
	32’ – Good interplay from Zambia down the right flank but Chris Katongo allows the ball to run out of play. It hasn�t quite happened for the Southern Africans yet.
	33’ – Thierry Fidjeu almost sprints onto a ball behind the Zambia defence but goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene gets there first.
	34’ – E. Guinea have Jose Bokung down after seemingly catching a stray elbow in his throat. He should recover just fine...
	35’ – Ten minutes to the half time break. It�s still 1-1 in the other Group A game in Bata.
	36’ – Chris Katongo with a shot on goal from a tight angle and Danilo gets down to make the save! The first proper scoring chance of the game.
	37’ – The co-hosts have another player down, this time it�s Daniel Vazquez receiving treatment. It seems he was caught by Chris Katongo as the Zambia attacker got that shot away a minute ago...
	39’ – Chris Katongo now with another long range shot that drifts well wide.
	40’ – Daniel Vazquez is back on the pitch and has a big bandage on the left side of his face.
	41’ – Daniel Ekedo with a good pass to hand Ivan Bolado a scoring chance, but Kennedy Mweene gets off his line to block the effort! The best chance of the game so far!
	43’ – Closing in on half time. It�s 0-0 here in Malabo and still 1-1 between Libya and Senegal in Bata.
	44’ – So far it�s a result that suits both teams, though Zambia will have ambitions of winning to leapfrog to the top of the standings.
	45’ – There will be three minutes of added time.
	45 + 2’ – Solid defending from Fousseny Kamissoko to deny Emmanuel Mayuka any sniff of goal.
	45 + 3’ – Daniel Ekedo floats in a good cross from the left but Kennedy Mweene gets off his line to intercept.
	45 + 4’ – The referee brings the first half to an end.
	– So, 0-0 here in Malabo, scoring chances few and far between. Libya and Senegal went to half time drawing 1-1 in Bata.
	46’ – Back underway in the second half.
	47’ – Equatorial Guinea Substitution: Raul-Ivan Fabiani Bosio replaces Thierry Fidjeu
	48’ – Zambia have an indirect free kick in E. Guinea�s penalty area after Danilo handles a back-pass! Rainford Kalaba tees up Hichani Himoonde, but the goalkeeper saves!
	49’ – Zambia think they�ve put Emmanuel Mayuka in on goal but the offside flag is up.
	50’ – Strong start to the second half from Zambia, they are not settling for a 0-0 draw...
	51’ – Now E. Guinea come on the attack, Juvenal Edjogo Owono with a long range shot... over the bar.
	53’ – Chris Katongo flagged offside as Rainford Kalaba looks to put him away.
	54’ – A good take under pressure from Kennedy Mweene, beating the substitute Raul Fabiani in the air.
	55’ – Good defending from Rui da Gracia as he stands firm to stop a run from Rainford Kalaba.
	57’ – It�s still 1-1 in the other game between Libya and Senegal.
	58’ – Rui da Gracia with another key piece of defending to stop Rainford Kalaba going through on goal.
	60’ – At the hour mark now. Are we headed for the first 0-0 draw of this Nations Cup?
	61’ – Emmanuel Mayuka with a lovely cross to the far post but it�s a free kick to E. Guinea after Rainford Kalaba fouls Daniel Vazquez in an aerial challenge.
	62’ – Raul Fabiani catches Joseph Musonda with a high foot. No harm done, fortunately.
	64’ – Javier Balboa with a cracking cross from the right flank but Hichani Himoonde heads clear.
	66’ – A spell of pressure for the co-hosts but they aren�t really able to stretch Zambia�s defence.
	67’ – Christopher Katongo (Zambia) scores!
	– Almost out of nowhere Zambia go ahead! Chris Katongo moves inside from the left, fires a low shot off the right foot, and beats Danilo at the near post!
	68’ – Great stuff from Zambia, they are top of Group A as the scores stand now...
	69’ – But here�s a chance for a reply from the co-hosts, as they line up a free kick in a great position. Juvenal Edjogo Owono shoots... just off target!
	71’ – Less than 20 minutes to play now. It�s still 1-1 in the match between Libya and Senegal in Bata.
	72’ – As things stand, the Group A log would finish in this order: Zambia, Equatorial Guinea (both into the quarterfinals), Libya, Senegal.
	74’ – Zambia Substitution: Francis Kasonde replaces Isaac Chansa
	75’ – Equatorial Guinea will need to get back on level terms in the last 15 minutes, or they will probably find themselves playing Cote d�Ivoire in the quarterfinals...
	76’ – Equatorial Guinea Substitution: Ellong Doualla Viera replaces Ivan Bolado Palacios
	78’ – Jose Bokung with a cross from the left flank, but it�s easy pickings for Kennedy Mweene.
	79’ – Javier Balboa goes for goal from long range but again it�s straightforward stuff for Kennedy Mweene to deal with.
	81’ – Zambia Substitution: James Chamanga replaces Emmanuel Mayuka
	82’ – It�s still 1-1 between Libya and Senegal in the other Group A game.
	83’ – Losing here will be a double blow for Nzalang Nacional. Not only will they probably end up facing Cote d�Ivoire in the next round, they won�t play the match in their stronghold of Bata.
	85’ – Rainford Kalaba shoots for goal straight from a free kick, but it�s high and wide of the target.
	86’ – Daniel Vazquez crosses from the right by-line, easily claimed by Kennedy Mweene.
	87’ – Libya are now 2-1 up against Senegal in Bata, but it looks like that win (if they hold on for it) will be in vain for the North Africans.
	88’ – Equatorial Guinea Substitution: Rolan de la Cruz Biyogo replaces Esono Mamadou (Ben Konate)
	90’ – Ellong Viera floats a ball into the Zambia penalty area but it�s overhit.
	90 + 1’ – There will be four minutes of added time.
	90 + 3’ – Juvenal Edjogo Owono with a good cross, but Kennedy Mweene makes another interception. The �keeper has not put a foot (or hand) wrong tonight.
	90 + 4’ – Zambia Substitution: Clifford Mulenga replaces Rainford Kalaba
	90 + 5’ – The referee blows the whistle for Full Time.
	– Zambia win 1-0 and claim top spot in Group A! Equatorial Guinea join them in the quarterfinals, but will be disappointed at having lost this match.
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