AFCON: Côte d'Ivoire-Zambia in the final
09/02/2012
The Côte d'Ivoire overcame rivals Mali 1-0 - thanks to ex-Lille star Gervinho - to book a place in the final against Zambia, who had earlier caused one of the upsets of the tournament by eliminating Ghana 1-0.
Gervinho's dazzling solo effort against Mali was enough to book the Elephants a place in their third AFCON final - the first since losing on penalties to Egypt in 2006.
PSG's Siaka Tiéné started at left-back and proved dangerous early on, sending in a viciously curling free kick for Didier Drogba only to see the Chelsea man's effort crash off the post as François Zahoui's men created the lions' share of the chances.
It was a nervy showing for Alain Giresse's Mali, who were without injured Bordeaux midfielder Abdou Traoré and Sochaux striker Modibo Maïga. Traoré's clubmate Cheick Diabaté had perhaps Mali's best effort early on, but saw his 11th-minute shot deflected over the bar by the Elephants' 'keeper Sol Bamba.
After Gervinho's goal at the very end of the first half, the Côte d'Ivoire easily dealt with Mali efforts in attack and held out for the comfortable win.
Shock exit for Ghana
Earlier in the day Zambia produced one of the shocks of the tournament to oust the heavily favoured Ghana of Marseille's André and Jordan Ayew.
Ex-Rennes star Asamoah Gyan let a crucial chance slip on eight minutes when his spot-kick was saved by Zambia 'keeper Kennedy Mweene, but despite a strong performance in attack alongside the impressive Ayew brothers, Ghana couldn't find a way to make up for the miss.
Rennes' John Boye and Lyon's John Mensah were solid in the centre of defence as Ghana had most of the chances, but were caught out on 79 minutes when, with his side's only chance of the second half, Zambia substitute Emmanuel Mayuka fired home from 20 metres out.
The 1-0 win puts Zambia through to their third AFCON final - they were losing finalists in 1974 and 1994 - against the Côte d'Ivoire on Sunday, while Mali will take on Ghana in the third-place play-off on Saturday.