NATIONS CUP: GHANAIAN FANS FLAY GYAN
Gyan
Ghana's football fans are angry that Asamoah Gyan could not convert the only penalty awarded to the team during Black Stars semi final clash against Mighty Zambia yesterday in Bata.
The fans, therefore, have been calling for the head of the 2010 World Cup star player after Ghana's elimination from the 2012 Nations Cup event.
Gyan's penalty was saved by Zambian goalkeeper, Mweene before Emmanuel Mayuka scored a surprise goal in the 1-0 win in a sodden Bata.
The fans said Gyan had lost form completely since he moved from more competitive English Premier League to money spinning less fancied Arab League.
Zambia's substitute, Mayuka completed a smash-and-grab victory for the underdogs as he tucked the ball beyond Ghana's keeper, Adam Kwarasey from 22 yards out on 79 minutes to complete a miserable day for the 2010 World Cup quarter-finalist. It could have been all very different for Ghana if Gyan had tucked away his spot-kick after Davis Nkausu had taken out Kwadwo Asamoah with a late challenge in the box on eight minutes.
Mweene dived to his left to complete a fine stop. Ghana huffed and puffed, but could not blow Zambia's house down with Mayuka's goal enough to provide Zambia's gateway to the final on Sunday, where they will bid for a first win in the African Cup of Nations final. They were losing finalists in 1974 in Egypt and in Tunisia in 1994, but will hope to go one better in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.
Zambia will return to the Gabon's capital, Libreville for the final 19 years after their national squad was tragically wiped out when a plane crashed heading towards Dakar for a World Cup qualifier with Senegal in 1993. All 25 passengers died on the flight.
Under Swiss Coach, Herve Renard – who prowled the touchline in the rain with jeans and a white shirt – they are certainly physically strong enough to provide a stern test at the final. Mweene did his bit to upset the odds as he saved from Gyan on nine minutes before doing likewise to deprive Jordan Ayew of a goal on 49 minutes.