Zambia returned to African soccer with a vengeance on Wednesday by beating favourites Ghana 2-1 to reach the final of the Africa Cup of Nations.
The shock defeat of the star-studded Black Stars in Bata, Equatorial Guinea, was inflicted courtesy of a goal in the second half by Zambian striker Emmanuel Mayuka.
In the first half Ghana's Asamoah Gyan failed to score off a penalty, and in the closing minutes of the game, Ghana were down to 10 men after Derek Boateng was sent off after being given a second yellow card for fouling Isaac Chansa.
The victory of Chipolopolo (the Copper Bullets) will trigger emotional celebrations across the southern African nation. They were semi-finalists last in 1996, while Ghana have reached the final four in the last three tournaments.
In addition, Zambian soccer remains haunted by the tragic loss of the nation's entire team, and a generation of talent, in an air crash off the coast of Gabon in 1993. Now Chipolopolo will travel to Libreville, Gabon for the final on Sunday.
