Ghana’s Black Stars failed in their bid to qualify to the finals of the 2012 African Cup of Nations as they lost by a late goal to the Zambians in the first Semi Finals match of the on-going AFCON in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.
The resilient Zambia’s inspirational goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene climbed to the occasion to save an Asamoah Gyan penalty in the early part of the first half. The Zambian goal was scored by substitute Emmanuel Mayuka with just 12 minutes remaining to end the match.
The lost means Ghana will play in the third place match against the Malians who also lost by a lone goal against the tournament favourites; Ivory Coast in the second Semi Finals. Even though the Ghanaians defeated the Malians by two goals to nil in the group stages, the Malians would be a tough nut to crack this time around as they would not allow Ghana to beat them twice in the same tournament.
Many Ghanaians as well as soccer analysts are commenting on the missed chances by the Ghanaians to qualify to the finals. Jerry Kwame Ayensu like many others believes, the Zambian game was a match that the Ghanaians played very well and yet had to lose because of the failed chances.
Even though Ghana created as many chances, the team failed to convert any including Asamoah Gyan’s missed penalty kick.
“I think this was the best game of the tournament by Ghana after creating nine clear chances and missing a penalty. We just have been riding our luck all throughout the tournament but this gives us the opportunity to scour the market very well for the very best of playing materials as we lacked the materials for this tournament at some point.”