By Arinze Ude
GHANA 2-0 CAPE VERDE
Mubarak Wakaso came off the bench to score a brace, one from the spot and the other, a breakaway goal to help Ghana earn a spot in the Semi-finals of the tournament.
Surprise package of the competition, Cape Verde, played better than the West African neighbour, but Abdul Fatawu Dauda made marvellous saves to keep his team’s dream alive.
Ghana was awarded a penalty when Carlos Tavares brought down Ghana captain, Asamoah Gyan in the second half. Mubarak Wakaso stepped up to score his second penalty of the tournament.
Mubarak made the game safe in second half injury time, when he caught Cape Verde on the break as they threw everyone including their goalkeeper forward. He ran from the halfway line and slotted into an open goal to earn a 2-0 victory and propel his team into the semi finals.
SOUTH AFRICA 1-1 MALI (Mali win 3-1 on penalties)
South Africa was bundled out of the AFCON by a resolute Malian side on Saturday evening.
The South Africans were the better side during the early exchanges and took a deserved lead through Tokelo Rantie, who passed the ball into the net after a cut back from Thuso Phala.
Mali regrouped after the break and got the leveller through their mercurial captain, Seydou Keita to push the game into the extra time.
Both teams remained inseparable after extra-time and the game went to penalties to determine the victors of the day.
Siphiwe Tshabalala was the only player to score from the spot for South Africa. Dean Furman, Mahlangu and Majoro all missed from 12-yards out. Mali converted all their spot kicks to earn a 3-1 penalty shoot-out win.
South Africa’s Line Up:
Khune, Gaxa, Masilela, Khumalo, Sangweni, Furman, Mahlangu, Phala (Serero 89’), Letsholonyane, Parker (Tshabalala 105’), Rantie (Majoro 41’)
Mali’s Line Up:
So Diakite, Diawara, Tamboura, A.Coulibaly, Wague, Keita, Sissoko (M Traore 55’), Sow, Sa Diakite (Diarra 24’), Maiga, Samassa (Diabate 88’)
Penalty sequence:
Tshabalala scores, Diabate scores; Furman saved, Tamboura scores; Mahlangu saved, M Traore scores; Majoro missed
TOGO 0-1 BURKINA FASO (AET)
Jonathan Pitroipa was the hero for Burkina Faso as they secured a semi-final berth at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.
The man from Rennes leaped above the Togolese defence to head home the only goal of the game in the 105th minute of extra minute after the game ended goalless in regulation time.
This lone victory sees the Burkinabes book a semi-final date against Ghana on Wednesday.
Burkina Faso’s Line Up:
Daouda, Bakary Kone, Kambore, Panandetiguiri, Pitroipa (Rouamba 109), Paul, Djakaridja Kone, Ouattaran (Nakoulma 66’),Kofi, Dagano, Sanou (A Traore 96’)
Togo’s Line Up:
Agassa, Nibombe, Mamah, Amewou (Salifou 116’), Bossou, Romao, Gakpe, Djene, Adebayor, Akakpo (Wome 107’), F Ayite (Segbefia 67’)
NIGERIA 2-1 COTE D’IVOIRE
Nigerian Super Eagles defied all odds to knock the pre-tournament favourites, Cote d’Ivoire out of the Cup of African Nations in South Africa.
Warri Wolves’ midfielder, Sunday Mba was the hero of the day when his shot deflected off Bamba to loop over Barry in the Ivorian goal.
Emmanuel Emenike had given Nigeria the lead in the first half with a tremendous strike, before a contender for the goal of the tournament and Newcastle United midfielder, Cheik Tiote, headed in Didier Drogba’s corner kick to level matters.
Although it appeared Drogba dived to earn the freekick, all complaints by Nigerian players to the referee fell on deaf ears and Ivorians scored from the resultant freekick.
Nigeria will tackle the Malians for a spot in the final on Wednesday.
Nigeria’s Line Up:
Enyeama, Ambrose, Omeruo, Oboabona, Echejile, Onazi, Mikel Obi, Mba, Ideye, Emenike, Moses (Yobo 90′)
Cote d’Ivoire’s Line Up:
Barry, Eboue, Zokora, Bamba, Tiene, Tiote, Romaric (Lacina Traore 85′), Yaya Toure, Gervinho, Kalou (Gradel 70′), Drogba.
