The semi-final line-up at this year’s AFCON was completed with today’s round of quarter finals. At the end of the day’s action it was the Black Stars and Cote d’Ivoire’s Elephants who joined Congo DR and the host in the last four.
Guinea needed a last minute tie breaker, in the form of balloting, to pip Mali to Group D’s final qualifying slot. The consequence, a quarter final against Ghana; did not turn out quiet as they were expecting.
The Black Stars turned in a dominant performance, certainly their best of the competition so far, to beat the Syli Nationale by 3-0. Christian Atsu hit an impressive brace, sandwiching Kwesi Appiah’s maiden international goal.
Coach Grant made two changes to the side that beat South Africa, John Boye and Kwesi Appiah replacing the injured Daniel Amartey and the ineffectual Jordan Ayew. The British born striker imbibed the forward line with a level of industry that drove the whole side forward.
It did not take long for the Stars to stamp their superiority, Christian Atsu scoring after four minutes. Kwesi Appiah moved purposefully down the left flank, sent a pass through to Andre Ayew, who strongly held off his marker and back-heeled into the path of Atsu.
He made no mistake, burying to make it 1-0 to the Stars.
Ghana remained the better side throughout the half, despite a few forays forward from Guinea. Their attempts were mostly through their skipper, Borussia Monchengladbach attacker Ibrahima Traore.
Ghana took a 2-0 lead just before half time, Kwesi Appiah being handed the chance on a silver platter. Miscommunication at the back enabled the forward an easy tap into the net.
The entire second half was an exhibition for Ghana, the only notable attempt was Atsu’s goal-of-the-tournament. He controlled a pass on the right, cut onto his favoured left foot, then sent in a cross-cum-shot that beat Guinea’s embattled goalie Yattara.
Ghana saw out the rest of the game comfortably, qualifying for their fifth successive AFCON semi finals. Aside 2010, the other three have served as Ghana’s last stop; and the hope this time is that the Stars can surmount the last four hurdle.
Standing between them and the final this time is the host Equatorial Guinea. They have survived so far through sheer guts and a lot of luck; and they would serve as an interesting obstacle to Ghana’s hope for a fifth Nations Cup crown.
In the other quarter final, Ivory Coast’s Elephants beat Algeria 3-1 to book their place in the semi-finals. Manchester City forward Wilfried Bony got a brace, and Roma’s Gervinho put the cherry on the cake in injury time, to render Soudani’s 51st minute equaliser meaningless.
Billed as pre-tournament favourites, the Desert Foxes now have to pack their bags for a flight home.
Former Ghana assistant manager Herve Renard’s Cote d’Ivoire keep marching on- with a possible meeting in the final against his former employers.