LIBREVILLE: Top-ranked Ivory Coast lived up to their billing by reaching the African Nations Cup final as the tournament delivered yet another surprise when Zambia also reached Sunday’s deciding match.
Wednesday’s semi-finals dished up only two goals but continue the dramatic theme that has enlivened the continental championship after several docile recent editions.
A breathtaking breakaway goal from Gervinho secure the expected win for Ivory Coast, the highest world-ranked side in African football, over Mali in Libreville but Zambia’s 1-0 victory over Ghana in Bata, Equatorial Guinea added to the list of shocks at the three-week-long premier tournament.
Emmanuel Mayuka struck just 12 minutes from time to eliminate the highly fancied Black Stars and extend now to more than 30 years Ghana’s wait for a Nations Cup title.
Zambia scored against the run of play when halftime substitute Mayuka, 21, received the ball with his back to goal.
Mayuka controlled it with his first touch then swung and sent a powerful shot curling past Adam Kwarasey and in off the foot of the post for his third goal of the tournament.
The Ivory Coast, winners in 1992, are through to their third final, an achievement matched by Zambia who lost in both 1974 and 1994. (Reuters)
