Zambia reaches final after surprise win over Ghana

Zambia defeated favourite Ghana 1-0 in the African Nations Cup football semi-final on Wednesday. Emmanuel Mayuka, the only member of the Zambian squad to play for a European first division club, scored with a 78th-minute goal.

By News Wires (text)

REUTERS - Emmanuel Mayuka came off the bench to send Zambia into the African Nations Cup final after his 78th-minute goal secured a shock 1-0 win over Ghana in their semi-final on Wednesday.

The game could have turned out very differently had Asamoah Gyan not missed an eighth-minute penalty for four-times champions and favourites Ghana.

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Ghana dominated the game but struggled to create chances in front of another empty stadium, a sad hallmark of the tournament in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon, on a wet and steamy evening in Bata.

Mayuka, the only member of the Zambian squad playing for a European first division club, scored out of the blue with a shot on the turn. Ghana midfielder Derek Boateng was sent off six minutes from time after a second yellow card.

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Date created : 08/02/2012

Comments (6)

Submarines'Day

by Chiselwa (not verified) - 11/02/2012 - 20:34

Zambia should be indeed be proud with all they have achieved. Remember, getting big over rated teams in Senegal and Ghana speaks for itself. Itś more like a CV, we came and we over came all the praise the media had on big names. On a count down though....this won be any of those walk over games. Zambia, the chipolopolo or as i call call the the submarines might end up carrying the day come sunday.

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Zambia Deserved a win against Ghana

by Sume Sikazwe (not verified) - 09/02/2012 - 17:17

Zambia played under pressure but won. Football is about Goals, Ghana played well but could not score.

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surprise win

by shi m (not verified) - 09/02/2012 - 13:58

IT hates when you achieved something through hard work and others describe it as surprise. please zambia worked hard and its not by surprise.

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zambia is back.

by esther banda (not verified) - 09/02/2012 - 09:18

Zambia in 1993 lost the soccer squad and lost hope of ever bringing the cup home.i see Zambia focusing on getting the cup this season,come rain,come sunshine.it is a different game for Zambia this season.

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zambia's victory

by ntinda joseph (not verified) - 09/02/2012 - 08:37

i wud lyk to cheer zambia national team for the maturity potrayed,the smiles to many african countries most of all to all zambians.. go boyz go,viva guyz..remember"don't kubeba"shiiiiiiiiii.............