Bouaké — Ghana’s “Black Stars” won a place in Sunday’s final of the inaugural African Nations Championships after beating Senegal 7-6 in a penalty shoot-out after two hours of play on Wednesday.
When the team with the best attack meets a team with the best defence in the same tournament, it always turns out to be a very tactical contest. The first semi-finals were no exception to the rule and it was a very physical encounter, played in front of a capacity crowd in Bouaké.
The Ghanaians signalled their intentions early with a free kick that gave the Senegalese supporters the cold shivers, catching the goalkeeper out of his goal line. Senegal’s 4-2-1-3 formation made it difficult for the Ghanaians to prevail, but their familiarity with the pitch from earlier games in the tournament gave them an advantage.
Ibrahim Ayew – Man of the Moment
Ghana’s tactical superiority was demonstrated at the 15th minute when Asampong Taylor broke through two Senegalese defenders – although he went on to miss his target. A similar opportunity came a few minutes later, in the 22nd minute, but once again the Black Stars failed to score.
After Ghana wasted another free kick, Ibrahim Ayew beat the outside track at the 32nd minute and crossed the ball to Antwi Yaw, who crucified the Senegalese goalkeeper to net the opening goal. (1-0, 32nd minute.)
This goal acted as a wake-up call to the Senegalese and El Hadj Sara Ndao and his teammates went on the offensive. Four minutes later, Vito Badiane took a free kick awarded to Senegal. Ghana’s defenders blocked the ball, but it was picked up by Alpha Oumar Sow, who converted it, equalizing the score at 1-1 in the 36th minute. The game stayed this way until the end of the first half.
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Ghanaian domination
Ghana looked like the only team on the field at the start of the second half. Their domination was overwhelming but their attack was clumsy. Senegal, although under pressure, did not give up, even with the crowd backing their opponents.
Ghana’s dominance lasted for about 20 minutes. In the 51st minute, Inkoom Samuel’s kick went straight over the crossbar. Another kick by Owusu Ansah from 25 metres out was firmly stopped by the Senegalese goalkeeper. Despite the clear supremacy of the Ghanaians and signs of tiredness from the Senegalese, the score remained even, forcing the game into extra time.
Extra time saw two teams, though worn out, remain determined to tie down their adversaries. The only notable feature of the first half of extra time was the replacement of Ibrahim Ayew, who had been a thorn in the side of Senegal’s defenders.
The Ghanaians also dominated in the second half of extra time, until Pape Maly Diamanka squandered Senegal’s best opportunity at the 111th minute. With weary feet, both teams slowed down as the minutes crawled by, and a penalty shoot-out became inevitable. Ghana won the shoot-out by 7 to 6.
Translated from the original French by Michael Tantoh
