Ghana trash Lesotho 7-0

The floodlights are restored

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The Black Stars are in for a goal harvest as they lead the Crocodiles of Lesotho by 3-0 in the first 45 minutes of the World Cup qualifier which is under way at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.
Skipper Sulley Muntari opened the scoring with a terrific strike from a well rehearsed freekick with just 16 minutes played.
The AC Milan star is easily the man of the match so far with his long searching balls one of which located Jordan Ayew who dummied the goal keeper on the stroke of half time and slotted the ball into an empty net.
Dominic Adiyiah showed why coach Akwasi Appiah kept faith in him by scoring the second goal with a great individual effort.
It has been an incredible team performance with the Stars playing a free flowing game with great telepathy from Derek Boateng and Agyemang Badu in midfield.
Goal keeper Adam Kwarasey has virtually been on a holiday because the Crocodiles are yet to make any effort at goal.
For the first half its Ghana 3, Lesotho 0 a Friday afternoon stroll at the park it appears to be for the Black Stars.

 

Power has been restored at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium after nearly an hour of hold up and the World Cup qualifier between the Black Stars of Ghana and the Crocodiles of Lesotho which was suspended due to the flood lights at the stadium not functioning is underway.
The Black Stars of Ghana who raced to a 3 goal lead in the first half are now 7 goals up. Sulley Muntari opened the scoring with a terrific strike from a well rehearsed freekick with just 16 minutes played with Dominic Adiyiah scoring a brace.
Jordan Ayew dummied the goal keeper on the stroke of half time and slotted the ball into an empty net for Ghana's fourth goal.
Substitute Chritian Atsu who came on for Sulley Muntari added his name to the score sheet when he curled in a beautiful shot in the 85th minute from the outside of the Lesotho penalty box.
Jordan Ayew then latched onto a rebound in the 90th, before defender Jerry Akaminko outjumped the Lesotho goalie and powered home a header for the seventh goal.

Sulley Muntari on Ghana vs Lesotho encounter

Sulley Muntari has challenged his Ghana teammates to expect a tough contest in the qualifying for the 2014 FIFA World Cup as they prepare to kick off their chase of a third straight appearance in the finals.

The Black Stars open their qualifying campaign in Group D at the Baba Yara Stadium against Lesotho on Friday as the African qualifiers enters the second round stage.

Following appearances at the two previous World Cups, Ghana find themselves in a tough group which includes African champions, Zambia and Sudan.

Only one team from the four-nation group will progress to the third round where the ten teams that advance from the second round will be paired into five home-and-away series to determine the final sides that reach Brazil.

Muntari, who has been promoted to the captaincy in the absence of John Mensah says the Black Stars are braced up for a difficult campaign.

“Yeah, before you go to the World Cup, everything is difficult. Even if it’s one game or if you are in the final to win the Cup, it’s difficult," said Muntari, who will captain Ghana against Lesotho.

“Everything is difficult in football. We are just looking forward to the game on Friday and we want to win and want to be in the World Cup.”

Muntari, a campaigner in both of Ghana's World Cup appearances and with two goals to his name is determined to help the Black Stars to a third successive finals.

“The World Cup is an amazing event and every player wants to play in the World Cup. I personally want to do it for the third time," the Ghana midfielder said.

"By doing that we have to start winning. So, we want to do that against Lesotho and then we will go to Zambia."

Harrison Afful, Adiyiah named in Ghana squad against Zambia, Lesotho

Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah has named his 30-man squad for next month's 2014 World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Zambia.

Europe-based youngsters Ishmael Yartey and Christian Atsu were among the six players who were handed their maiden Black Stars call-ups.

Nine home-based players were also named in the squad with Berekum Chelsea trio of Ernest Sowah, Emmanuel Clottey and Richard Kissi Boateng included.

The team will start a non-residential camp in Accra on 21 May, 2012.

The squad will be pruned before the team departs to Kumasi on 27th May ahead of the match against Lesotho on 1st June, 2012.

Ghana face Lesotho in Kumasi for Appiah's first game before they play Zambia on June 9 in Ndorla.

Ghana Squad

Goalkeepers: Adam Kwarasey (Stromsgodset, Norway), Robert Dabuo (Wa All Stars), Daniel Adjei (Liberty Professionals), Ernest Sowah (Berekum Chelsea)

Defenders: Samuel Inkoom (Dnipro, Ukraine), Daniel Opare (Standard Liege, Belgium), Harrison Afful (Esperance, Tunisia), Richard Kissi Boateng (Berekum Cheslea), Masawudu Alhassan (Genoa, Italy), John Boye (Rennes, France), Lee Addy (Dalian Aerbin, China), Daniel Addo (Arsenal Kyiv, Ukraine) Rashid Sumaila (Dwarfs), Jerry Akaminko (Manisaspor, Turkey), Isaac Vorsah (Hoffenheim, Germany)

Midfielders: Anthony Annan (Vitesse Arnhem, Netherlands), Derek Boateng (Dnipro, Ukraine), Emmanuel Agyemang Badu (Udinese ,Italy), Rabiu Mohammed (Evian, France) Richard Mpong (Medema) Albert Adomah (Bristol City, England), Christian Atsu (Rio Ave, Portugal), Ishamel Yartey, (Servette, Switzerland), Sulley Muntari (AC Milan, Italy), Kwadwo Asamoah (Udinese, Italy).

Forwards: Jordan Ayew (Marseille, France), Dominic Adiyiah (Arsenal Kyiv, Ukraine), Ben Acheampong (Kotoko), Emmanuel Baffour (New Edubiase), Emmanuel Clottey (Berekum Chelsea).

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Zambia are AFCON2012 champions

...Zambia became African2012 champions. The end.


Orange Man of the competition:Christopher Katongo (Zambia)

Fair Play Trophy: Cote d'Ivoire

Orange CAN 2012 Best IX

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Goal keeper

16 KENNEDY MWEENE (Zambia)

Defenders

6 GOSSO JEAN-JACQUES GOSSO (CIV)
13 STOPPILA SUNZU (Zambia)
5 JOHN MENSAH (Ghana)
3 ADAMA TAMBOURA (Mali)


Midfielders

20 EMMANUEL MAYUKA (Zambia)
19 YAYA GNEGNERI TOURE (CIV)
10 KOUASSI GERVAIS YAO (CIV)
12 SEYDOU KEITA (Mali)

Strikers

11 CHRISTOPHER KATONGO (Zambia)
11 DIDIER DROGBA (CIV)


Substitutions

1 BOUBACAR BARRY (CIV)
4 Fernando DA GRACIA GOMEZ (EQG)
7 YOUSSEF MSAKNI (Tunisia)
9 MATEUS CONTREIRAS MANUCHO (Angola) 
9 PIERRE EMERICK AUBAMEYANG (Gabon)
9 SADIO DIALLO (Guinea)
9 CHEICK TIDIANE DIABATE (Mali)
11 ERIC MOULOUNGUI (Gabon)
13 HOUSSINE KHARJA (Morocco)
17 MUDATHIR ELTAIB IBRAHIM (Sudan)
17RAINFORD KALABA (Zambia)
20 KWADWO ASAMOAH (Ghana)

Renard – “I dedicate the victory to Kalusha”

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Zambia coach Herve Renard has dedicated his team’s title triumph at the 2012 Orange Africa Cup of Nations to Chipolopolo legend Kalusha Bwalya for giving him the opportunity to handle the team.

 

Kalusha, considered the finest Zambian footballer of all time heads the country’s football federation and the Frenchman describes the feat as a thank you package for the impact in his coaching career. Incidentally, Kalusha escaped the April 28, 1993 air plane crash involving the Zambian team in Gabon on their way to Senegal for a World Cup qualifier because he had to fly to Dakar from his European base.

 

“He is the best Zambian player of the last century and he escaped the plane crash. He was criticized for giving me the second chance. I dedicate the victory to him because he gave me the opportunity to coach. I also thank Claude Le Roy for giving me my first experience in Africa as assistant coach in 2008 with Ghana.”

 

Renard added that his team was destined to win the title after a campaign that saw them start every game as underdogs.

 

“It was unrealisable before the start of the tournament and we realised we have to believe in ourselves. We were not the best team but have the strength to fight on.

 

“We wanted to honour the dead players and that strengthened us. Our first game was against Senegal and the team was on its way to Senegal for a match when the plane crashed. The plane crashed in Gabon and we won the final in Gabon. It is a sign of destiny.”

 

The Frenchman is hoping that the performance of his team will open bigger doors for most of them to play in Europe.

Zahoui – “We lacked efficiency”

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Cote d’Ivoire coach Francois Zahoui has said his team paid the price for being inefficient in the loss to Zambia in the final of the 2012 Orange Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday in Libreville.

 

The Elephants lost 7-8 on penalties to the Chipolopolos after 120 minutes of action failed to produce a winner at a packed Stade de l'amitie.

 

“We lacked efficiency, had our chances but failed to score. We are very disappointed with the result. I reckoned a tough game and we could have won in normal time. We had a problem during the penalties,” the Ivorian told a press conference after the match.

 

Visibly disturbed by the outcome of a game they were ranked clear cut favourites, Zahoui expressed his thoughts with his team especially the older generation after coming close and yet so far again. The Ivorians lost on penalties to Egypt in 2006, placed fourth two years later in Ghana and crashed out at the last eight in Angola in 2010.

 

“It was game we could not afford to lose. We knew it was going to be difficult and really wanted to win. It was a difficult moment for my players. This generation are lionhearted and they wanted to win something for themselves.

 

“It is difficult to end this way after playing very well at the tournament; scoring nine goals and not conceding. We came here with a lot of ambition. The biggest lesson is that the players demonstrated maturity throughout the tournament.”

 

For Zahoui, his immediate target is to qualify for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations to be hosted in South Africa and has promised to keep his team intact.

 

“We have a good team but have to accept the result and move on. We will do our best to qualify for CAN 2013.”

 

The Elephants took consolation in being adjudged the Fair Play team of the tournament.

 

Zambia hold nerve to beat Ivory Coast, take title

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Zambia conjured up a shock when they toppled star-studded Ivory Coast 8-7 in a penalty shoot-out to claim their first ever Africa Cup of Nations title on Sunday.
   With the sides goalless after extra time Zambia's Stoppila Sunzu converted the magic spot kick after Arsenal striker Gervinho missed for the Elephants.
   The result meant misery for hot favourites Ivory Coast, who failed to claim the title despite not conceding a goal throughout the entire competition until Sunday's shootout.
   It also revived memories for Didier Drogba, who missed a penalty in the second half of normal time, and company of their 2006 penalty shoot out final defeat to Egypt in Cairo.
   Zambia, motivated by the memory of the 1993 national team wiped out in a plane crash off the Libreville coast, went into the 2012 climax as outsiders.
   But they covered themselves with glory, hassling and harrowing their star-studded rivals all the way to the penalty shoot-out, and then holding their nerve to prevail in the dramatic, barely watchable denouement.
   Ivory Coast coach Francois Zahoui fielded the same side that saw off Mali 1-0 in the semi-final.
   His Zambian counterpart, Herve Renard, recalled striker Emmanuel Mayuka, after his starring role in getting the decisive goal in the 1-0 last four defeat over Ghana.
   He joined captain Christopher Katongo in spearheading the Chipolopolo's (Copper Bullets) attack.
   Russian-based midfielder Chisamba Lungu came in for Francis Kasonde.   A minute of silence was observed before kick-off in memory of the 74 people killed in the Port Said stadium slaughter in Egypt.
   The game was only seconds old when Zambia almost took a shock lead, with keeper Boubacar Barry doing well to save Nathan Sinkala's close range shot off Katongo's quick pass from a Rainford Kalaba corner.
   Renard was forced into an unscripted change when defender Joseph Musonda limped off in tears on 11 minutes - Nyambe Mulenga took his place.
   A shaky start by Ivory Coast gave Zambia hope of an upset and Kalaba's 30m freekick wasn't far away after taking a deflection off Cheik Tiote's leg.
   The Elephants put together their best passage of play approaching the half hour mark, a neat Drogba backheel setting up Yaya Toure only for the Manchester City midfielder's angled shot to go wide of the far post.
   A hugely promising first half from Zambia had the Elephants' defence, marshalled by Kolo Toure, under more pressure than they would have wanted, with Katongo leading from the front.
      The second half began with a deathly hush descending on the stadium - the final in desperate need of the kiss of life in the guise of a goal.
   And on 72 minutes one should have come after Ivory Coast were awarded a penalty when Issac Chansa and Mulenga barged into Gervinho.
   Drogba stepped up but his woeful attempt went soaring into the night sky, even though he appeared to divert blame to the pitch, glaring at the spot.
   This was his second miss from the spot after he had a penalty saved in the quarter-final win over Equatorial Guinea, where he went on to score twice.
   One minute later Max Gradel's shot from the box had Zambia keeper Kennedy Mweene beaten, but it rolled wide of the far post.
   In the 95th minute, substitute Felix Katongo crossed from the right for his brother Christopher with only Barry's toe diverting the goalbound ball off the near post.
   There was high drama once the penalty shoot out got underway, with Kolo Toure missing the Ivorians seventh penalty, but Zambia's Kalaba also missing his to leave the sides still inseparable.
   Then after Gervinho failed in his attempt it was left to Sunzu, the defender who plays his club football in the Democratic Republic of Congo, to give Zambia a historic first title, and consign Ivory Coast to another wretched defeat.

AFCON2012 Diabate brace hands Mali bronze

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A goal in each half from striker Diabate Cheick Tidiane powered Mali to a 2-0 win over Ghana in the third place match on Saturday in Malabo.

 

The lanky striker ensured Mali ended the tournament with their heads high after seeing off a Ghana team that failed to gel in the battle for bronze. The Black Stars who ended the game with a man less after Isaac Vorsah was sent off in the closing stages of the game appeared yet to overcome their semi final blow in a game they managed an ordinary output.

 

It was the second match between the two sides at the tournament with Ghana winning the earlier encounter at the group phase 2-0.

 

Mali made clear their intent from the onset and threatened the Ghanaian defence, marshalled around stand-in captain John Paintsil, Lee Addy, Vorsah and Jonatah Mensah.

 

On 23 minutes, Diabate broke the deadlock from close range after Ghana goalie Adam Larsen Kwarasey spilled an earlier effort unto his path.

 

Youngster Jordan Ayew led the Ghanaian attack but failed to break through the Malian defence which remained resolute.

 

Ghana coach brought on Prince Tagoe and Sulley Muntari for Samuel Inkoom and Mohammed Abu respectively at the start of the second half and the later made their presence felt minutes later.

 

The swift Malians remained in control of possession and on 64 minutes, Vorsah was sent off after second yellow card for fouling Diabate. The numerical advantage worked for the Malians and the second goal will soon come.

 

On 80 minutes, Diabate sealed victory with the second goal by connecting a cross from Adama Tamboura on the left.

 

The feat is the best outing for the Malians in the history of the Africa Cup of Nations since 1972 where they won silver. The Eagles were also fourth in 1994, 2002 and 2004.

 

Finalists Zambia visit the site of 1993 Tragedy

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The 2012 Orange Africa Cup of Nations finalists, Zambia led by the country’s football association president, Kalusha Bwalya visited the site of the tragic air-crash that killed the Zambia team 19 years ago.  By reaching the final on Sunday were Chipolopolo will meet Ivory Coast, Zambia found themselves in Libreville, Gabon and as Bwalya put it, it was only right that they turned up at the site to remember and honour the gallant fallen heroes of 1993. 

The Zambian players and staff laid reefs during a somber and moving short ceremony on a Libreville beach in Gabon. Bwalya who was a member of the ill-fated team in 1993 but was to make a separate journey from his club base in Netherlands went on to give a brief speech in which he summed up the visit in the phrase “Their dreams are our dreams”, talking about his departed team-mates.

 He went on to say “It is no coincidence that we are here today. We have worked hard as a team and through a collective effort involving many people however; I am convinced that our dearly departed brothers that lost their lives here 19 years ago have lent a helping hand. In 1993, the Chipolopolo came here to fulfill a promise. They did not succeed, but instead gave up their lives for a gallant cause - the dream to bring glory to Our Country, Mother Zambia. It is the same cause that brings us here today, the only difference is that we are alive and our former team mates are no longer here. They are shining down on us from heaven as we take part as finalists in this tournament. We pray that their souls will forever rest in Peace and that God give us the strength and the courage to fulfill our dreams and theirs. ” Concluded Bwalya

 

South Sudan joins African football family

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South Sudan has become the latest National Association of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) taking the membership of the continent’s soccer governing body to 54. The South Sudan Football Association (SSFA) was unanimously admitted during the 34th CAF Ordinary General Assembly held on Thursday in Libreville, Gabon.

CAF President Issa Hayatou explained that the admission of the SSFA has become necessary following the recognition of the nation by international organisations and. Earlier CAF General Secretary Hicham El-Amrani said the admission of the world’s newest nation comes in the wake of the SSFA’s compliance with the statutes of the Confederation despite its short tenure of existence.

He said the SSFA and the Government of South Sudan has shown commitment to the respect of the CAF Statute and the provision of infrastructure for the development and promotion of the sport. South Sudan’s Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Dr. Cirino Iteng Ofuho presented a flag of the country to CAF President Hayatou to symbolize their formal entry into the African football, whilst Hayatou reciprocated with the CAF flag.

 Oliver Mori Benjamin, President of the SSFA expressed gratitude to the assembly for the unanimous support on their admission into the African football family. “It is a great moment that the newest nation has been admitted into CAF. Today marks eight months since the birth of the country and 10 months of existence of the provisional SSFA.

“We thank CAF and FIFA for sending a delegation to inspect our facilities when we made our intentions. We pledge to help promote football in Africa without recourse to the reverse gear. Our government is very committed to the developing football and sports in general ,sports,” said Benjamin.

Lighting of ‘Flame of Peace’ to herald Orange CAN 2012 final match

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The final match of the 2012 Orange Africa Cup of Nations between Cote d’Ivoire and Zambia scheduled for Sunday, February 12 at the Stade de l’amitie will be heralded by the lighting of the ‘Flame of Peace.’

 

CAF President Issa Hayatou will be joined by Ali Bongo Ondimba (President of Gabon), Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo (President of Equatorial Guinea) and Dr. Jean Ping (Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union) to light the ‘Flame of Peace’ before the final match.

 

The ‘Flame of Peace’ symbolises the commitment to make peace a reality on the continent.

 

CAF and its partner, African Union (Union) have resolved to strengthened peace in Africa through football.

 

The final match will kick off at 20h30 (local time).

CAF donates $150,000 USD to support families of Port Said tragedy

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The CAF Executive Committee under the chairmanship of CAF President Issa Hayatou at its meeting on Saturday (Feb. 11, 2012), in Libreville (Gabon) approved a financial support of $150,000 USD to the families of the victims of the Port Said tragedy.

 

Over 70 fans lost their lives and scores injured during an Egyptian Premier League match between Al-Masry and Al-Ahly on February 1, 2011 in Port Said.

 

It would be recalled that the CAF flag has been flying at half mast since the tragic event. Also, a minute of silence is observed in honour of the victims from the quarter finals stage till the final of the ongoing 2012 Orange Africa Cup of Nations.

Zahoui – We are ready for the title

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Cote d’Ivoire coach Francois Zahoui is satisfied with his team reaching the final of 2012 Orange Africa Cup of Nations, where they are due to face Zambia on Sunday in Libreville, Gabon.

 

For Zahoui, his satisfaction won’t be complete without the title, which has eluded the Elephants since 1992.

 

“We took a giant step by reaching the grand final and my joy will be complete when win the title. We are just one step away from that feat.”

 

“Achieving this success is the result of hard work from all stakeholders; the Football Association, supporters, technical staff and playing body. I’m lucky to have these talented and experienced players having participated in the last three editions of the Africa Cup of Nations. I can see determination in their eyes. They want to lift to the trophy.”

 

Zahoui, 51, considered back -to-back victories at the quarters and semis means getting closer to their target.

 

“If you want to win the title, you have to keep winning. It’s not about performing exceptionally. The most important thing is winning.

 

“We came here for that and have the experience to achieve it. The pitch will decide and the results are our target. We have won all our matches and is left with the key game.”

 

Zahoui recalls that they are primed for the title, which they last won in 1992 after a clean sheet in their previous matches at the tournament.

 

On Zambia, the Ivorian said: “Zambia is a big team and have a strong squad with good player. They are enthusiastic and play with high spirits and are not in the final by coincidence. It was unexpected but they deserve to be here and they a good coach too.”

 

Zahoui added that his players are ready for the game in their quest to break the jinx.

 

“It will be a balanced game and we will play only to win. It’s the same story with Zambia, but I know how to tackle them.

 

“My players are ready and highly motivated to win the title. This generation has failed several times and now they have the chance,” Zahoui concluded.

Chris Katongo - It doesn’t get much bigger than this game

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His goals and leadership has taken Zambia to their third Africa Cup of Nations final and Christopher Katongo says he and his teammates are ready for one more battle. On Sunday 12^th February Katongo will lead his side onto the field to contest the final against Ivory Coast and he told Cafonline.com that hardwork and teamwork has been the cornerstone of their success so far.

Cafonline.com: How are the preparations for the final going?

Katongo: Training is going on well and as you can see the boys enjoy preparing for matches and we are all excited but focused ahead of the final. We just will just wait and see on Sunday but we all know this is the biggest game of our lives.

Cafonline.com: Having beaten Ghana how do you guard against complacency for the next game?

Katongo: I think there will not be any complacency from this side. We won’t relax because we have beaten so-called big teams along the way but instead we will continue to work hard. Our match against Sudan, a team without big names was the toughest we have played here at the finals. The guys want to make a name for themselves and if we can beat the so called giants and playing well, it’s a huge international stage so there won’t be any room for complacency

Cafonline.com: Is reaching the final already a victory for Zambia?

Katongo: Certainly not, we know it has been a great run to get this far but we are not here to cheer Ivory Coast to the trophy. We firmly believe in our ability and the quality we have. After all nobody can tell which way it will go on Sunday, There were many predictions before the tournament with Ghana and Ivory Coast called co-favourites. In our group some said it would be Senegal and Libya going through, so a lot has been said but we are in the final to win it.

Cafonline.com: Ivory Coast with big name players will start as favourites to win, is it fair to say so?

Katongo: That might be so when you look at it but the 90 minutes will tell. We respect Ivory Coast and yes they have quality players but it be 11 men against 11. You must know however that football is not played in the media or verbal, yes their big names but at the end of the day they have to prove it on the pitch by beating us and to prove that they are a big name team they will have to defeat us on the field and that will not be easy for them

Cafonline.com: You have been in fine form and scoring when some thought your best days were behind you, what have you done differently?

Katongo: No I still have energy to play and l only turn 30 this year and l know there have been these stories about my demise but that not true. I scored 3 goals in 5 qualifiers and for me that a good strike rate but there will always be doubters out there. I don’t see myself retiring soon and I still have more to give to the national team. People who know me should not be surprised. I am a consistent player and so expect more from me.

 

Adding the final touch to the adidas ball for the final

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A few days after the draw for the sixteen teams that made the 2012 Orange Africa Cup of Nations finals had been conducted in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, work started on preparing the match balls for the entire competition out at adidas in Germany. All the match balls at the Gabon and Equatorial Guinea carried the inscription of the two competing teams, the match venue and the date. Back at adidas in early November the group stage match balls were prepared with the writing on the balls done using a pet printing method.  According to Peter Sauerhammer  a graphic designer and screen printer with adidas Group this is the first time the printing of the match balls for every match (32 of them) at Africa Cup of Nations finals has been done.  For each game sixteen (16) match balls are printed. The match balls for the group stage games were printed in Germany using a technique called pet-printing.  

Peter Sauerhammer travelled to Libreville arriving in Gabon on the 1^st of February to work on printing the match balls for quarter finals until the very end. “So l follow the action on television watching the knockout matches and once l get confirmation from CAF on the teams meeting in the next match l start my work”  said Peter Sauerhammer.

A different printing method was used from the quarter final stage. “Instead of pet-printing we use heat-transfers and this is so because, there are a few requirements needed among them colour chemicals for pet-printing but with the heat transfer method not so much material is required “ said Peter Sauerhammer . We made the heat transfers back in Germany and each team had 35 made. An equal number was made for venues and dates too. Basically the process of printing on the match ball involves cutting up the letters required and laying them out on the transfer before l stick them on the ball and press on the ball with a machine that generates 160 heat temperature for  10 seconds . I give it an additional 5 seconds for safety before l remove the tape to inspect the work, added Peter Sauerhammer as he demonstrated in his Libreville hotel office while working on the 16 match balls for match N0 32. That is the final match of 2012 Orange Africa Cup of Nations and there it was printed on the match ball

ZAMBIA : COTE D’IVOIRE

            FINAL

LIBREVILLE, STADE DE L’AMITIE

         12.02.2012

BlackStars, Eagles battle for third place

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Ghana and Mali will both look to put the disappointment of their semifinal defeats behind them when they meet in the Africa Cup of Nations third-place playoff in Malabo on Saturday night, with kick-off set for 20h00 local time.

 

The Black Stars, as one of the pre-tournament favourites, will be especially disappointed to be playing in this match. They dominated large parts of their semifinal against Chipolopolo, but missed chances – including a penalty from Asamoah Gyan – cost them dear.

 

However, Samuel Inkoom insists that Ghana will be able to raise their game and end the tournament on a high when they meet Mali’s Eagles tonight.

 

"We need to go all out to get something," he told ghanafa.org.

 

"It is unfortunate that we could not take the trophy, that was out target but I believe we have to do something for the nation.

 

"It might be third place but it's another game and important to win for our country.

 

"We will pick up ourselves and go into the game. We have psyched ourselves up and will do our best."

 

Ghana defeated Mali 2-0 in the teams’ Group D match thanks to goals from Gyan and Andre Ayew, but Inkoom does not believe that will have any bearing on the bronze playoff.

 

"It won't be easy," he said. "They will come for revenge but we will do our maximum best to beat them again."

 

Mali went down 1-0 in a hard-fought match against Ivory Coast in the semifinals. It continued their horrendous run in the last-four stage of the competition (they have lost four semis and last appeared in the final back in 1972), but defender Ousmane Berthe insists that the Eagles are proud of their efforts at the tournament.

 

"I'm happy, because I'm here today, because we were in the semifinal, and I'm going to try hard to get third place," Berthe said after the defeat to the Elephants.

 

Ghana will be without four key players for the match: John Mensah and Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu are both injured, while Derek Boateng and John Boye are suspended. Mali have no such worries, though coach Alain Giresse is likely to use his squad’s fringe players anyway.

 

Renard Zambia ready to face any team

Zambia coach Herve Renard has declared they are ready for any opponent after sealing their place at the semis of the 2012 Orange Africa Cup of Nations.

 

The Chipolopolos are the first team to reach the last four of the tournament after goals by Sunzu Stoppila, Christopher Katongo and James Chamanga aided them to a 3-0 win over Zambia in their quarter final clash on Saturday in Bata.

 

Zambia are due to face the winner of the Ghana-Tunisia quarter final clash at the semis and the Frenchman says “we are not afraid of any team.”

 

In a post-match interview, Renard described the feat as historic being the first time the Chipolopolos were reaching the medal zone since 1996.

 

“We expected a difficult match, having played Sudan a couple of times in the CECAFA tournament. We started very well but were sluggish in the second half, till a minute of magic by Rainford Kalaba gave birth to a penalty for the second goal.

 

“Our target was to reach the semi final for the first time since 1996. We learnt a lot in 2010 where we were not efficient. I think we were better this time,” Renard told the media flanked by his assistant Patrice Beaumelle and Davies Phiri.

 

The Zambian trainer explains that his team has come of age in terms of experience after missing out of the 2004 edition in Tunisia in recent times.

 

“Zambia only missed out in 2004 in recent times and have an advantage with players who have been together for a long time. We have no big names and the star is the team. Players like Emmanuel Mayuka, Katongo (Christopher) and Kalaba (Rainford) are often underrated because they are not playing in major leagues abroad, but they are very good players.”

 

With the Sudan hurdle cleared, the ever confident Renard said they are looking forward to playing at the grand finale.

 

Boateng - It doesn’t get any easier from here on

His is an efficient workhorse in the Black Stars, midfield and quietly goes about his business on and off the field in a focused manner. It was pretty much the same scenario at Ngouni Complex in Franceville that Cafonline.com caught up with Owusu Derek Boateng to talk about Ghana’s upcoming quarter final encounter with Tunisia on Sunday 5^th February

Cafonline.com: How hard is turning to be to play with this tag of co-favourites?

Boateng: We are doing our best and the whole team wants to do well. We know the expectations of the nation is huge but we too want to win the title so we are simply taking the whole mission one game at a time and remains focused on the goal we want to achieve.

Cafonline.com: The general perception so far is that Ghana is still to perform well what do you say to that?

Boateng: There will always be something said that is the nature of the sport for me every game is a new game, we are happy to be called co-favorites but we don’t let that get to our heads and we are working hard in training. After each game we look at our performances and work on our mistakes and we are always looking at improving on our previous performance. By the grace of God l think we are doing well to be where we are now.

Cafonline.com: What sort of game and challenge are you expecting from Tunisia?

Boateng: Tunisia is a very good side and plays very good football, moving into spaces and possess swift attacking players. They are a disciplined side and we know we have a tough match awaiting us but from here on its knock-out phase and there are no easyr games from here on, in fact  this has been a competitive tournament with no easy games. It is going to be a difficult game against Tunisia. We respect Tunisia a lot but honestly we will be ready for them come Sunday.

Cafonline.com: So what is the mood like in camp ahead of this crucial match?

Boateng:  Aaah we are very motivated, ready and as l said training hard for the game. It has been a happy camp and it continues to be so

Cafonline.com: Have teams been hard against Ghana or Ghana is struggling?

Boateng:  Every game we have played has been tough, maybe yes because they are playing us they have been at their best but at this tournament every team here is good and has come ready for the finals. I think we must also give credit for the way the teams have played, You Guinea have been playing good football but they are going home, so we have not had any easy games and the competition has been tough but l am glad to say we are still here competing.

Cafonline.com: Whatwill it take to beat Tunisia on Sunday?

Boateng:  For me the only thing is that the team that will work harder will win the game. They have a good side with good players and so do we but l know that everything you do you need luck so l am hoping we will have a day when it will go for us and we will do our best