By James Robert Kayindi
The Black Stars of Ghana and the Elephants of Ivory Coast progressed to the semifinals of this year’s Africa Cup of Nations yesterday, joining hosts Equatorial Guinea and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) who had already qualified on Saturday.
Earlier on, DRC had thumped Congo 4-2 in the first game on Saturday. Despite a goalless first half, the Leopards came from two goals down in the second half to win the encounter with Dieumeric Mbokani netting a brace in that game.
On the same day, hosts Equatorial Guinea surprised the Eagles of Carthage from Tunisia with a 2-1 defeat after extra time. The game ended 1-1 after 90 minutes however the Tunis seemed not pleased with the referee’s penalty awarded to Guinea in the 90th minute which became the turning point of events after Equatorial Guinea leveled matters and forced the game into extra time and eventually wining it after Javier Balboa scored in the 101st minute.
On Sunday, Guinea which qualified after drawing of lots, had no chance when they took on a highly motivated Ghana who smashed them 3-0. Chelsea’s on-loan player to Everton, Christian Atsu scored a brace while youngster Kwesi Appiah also made it to the score sheet.
Atsu gave Ghana the lead as early as 4 minutes into the game while Kwesi Appiah added just a minute before recess to make it 2-0 by halftime. Astu once again rose to the occasion in the 61st minute with his second goal on the evening.
Elsewhere, the Elephants of Ivory Coast ruled the jungle when they clashed with the Desert Foxes of Algeria in a 3-1 victory. Manchester City’s new 28 million pound signing from Swansea, Wilfried Bony scored a brace while Roma’s returnee from suspension, Gervinho sealed the score sheet in the 90th minute.
Ivory Coast led 1-0 by half time after Bony’s opener in the 20th minute of the game. Algeria leveled matters just six minutes into the second half thanks to El-Arbi Hilal Soudani’s strike but Bonny reclaimed the lead for the Ivorians in the 69th minute.
Semifinal fixtures:
DR Congo vs Ivory Coast in Bata on Wednesday
Ghana vs Equatorial Guinea in Malaboon Thursday
Email Robert: Robert.k.circles@gmail.com