HOME > NEWS > GHANA CONFIDENT OF BEATING ZAMBIA TO REACH AFCON FINAL

Ghana confident of beating Zambia to reach Afcon final

Ghana, Zambia inspired by trophyless spells

Posted: 2012-02-08 09:50

Ghana are confident they can make it a second straight Nations Cup final appearance when they play Zambia in the first semi-final.  

The Black Stars lost the 2010 Final 1-0 to Egypt and are desperate to go one step further this term.

But they must first beat Zambia who have won admiration and respect for the manner they have reached the semi-finals for the first time since 1996.

The Chipolopolo beat Senegal in their opening game, drew with Libya before they beat Equatorial Guinea to book their place in the quarter-finals where they made light work of Sudan.

While the reputation of Zambia's opponents (Equatorial Guinea and Sudan were the lowest ranked sides in the competition) has not been the greatest, the manner Zambia have gone about their duties has been remarkable.

They have played with style and in Christopher Katongo and Rainford Kalaba have two of the best players in the tournament.

Zambia are at full strength for the game while Ghana are sweating on the fitness of Emmanuel Agyemang Badu who has been outstanding so far. Derek Boateng will take his place in midfield.

Apart from that coach Goran Stevanovic is likely to retain many of the players who have earned Ghana three wins out of four matches so far without being spectacular.

Ghana argue their path to the semi-final has been more difficult but that will count for nothing against Zambia who will be hoping that they can repeat their 1-0 win over Ghana in the third place play-off of the 1996 competition.

The game is also a kind of dress rehearsal for the two teams who are also due to meet in the qualifiers for the 2014 Nations Cup.

Zambia are looking to reach their third final and their first since 1994 while Ghana are hoping to make it back to back final appearances after their four consecutive appearances between 1963 to 1970.


The history will count for nothing for a game between two sides inspired to end long spells without a trophy.  

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vide misebezi: 2012-02-08 10:34

Chipolopolo wa mwelaa! Lets teach them futbo.we nid ivory coast not ghana. Ghana na chepa sana,sana fye. Kalaba,mayuuuuuuuka,chri th soldier katongo,isaac gatusooo chansa. Go zamb go chipolopolo

Eight: 2012-02-08 20:13

Hail Chipolopolo, thy are thru to de finale

Podium: 2012-02-09 10:05

Mr. Blackstar, i heard your loudmouth since the ouster the so called blackstars. I've always known that they don't deserve their high ratings in African football. The were only lucky to cross over Guinea and Tunisia even Mali considering what Mali played against Ivory Coast. Luck has always being on the side of these blackstars.My prediction for them in the next game is Mali 2-0 Ghana.

Podium: 2012-02-09 10:13

I've not read 1 single coment from any Ghanaian fan on their hopless performance yesterday against almighty Zambia. The blackstars have finally run out of luck. The luck that has been following them since the 2010 world cup,making them become very loudmouthed and not respecting their seniors in african football.Whatch out Africa nations have become aware of their cowardice in football. Oh how are the so called 'Mighty fallen'.More to come.

Podium: 2012-02-09 10:23

It's a pity non of these two teams has the pedegree to pull a suprise win over the real continental football pride of African football "The Indomitable Elephants of Ivory coast" Their unending runs for the trophy will continue for another while. They can't do it even at the next edition in 2013 where probably the other gaints of African football will be back into the continental fiesta. 'Am also sure one of them will not qualify for the next edition because they are in the same group. Black stars especially are not good enough to a leading team in Africa.