9 February, 2008

Sierra Express Media

Ghana captured third place at the African Cup of Nations Saturday by rallying to beat Ivory Coast 4-2.

Sulley Muntari put Ghana ahead in the 10th minute, but Boubacar Sanogo dribbled past John Mensah to equalize in the 24th and then scored again seven minutes later to give Ivory Coast a 2-1 lead. Quincy Owusu-Abeyie leveled for Ghana from close range in the 70th. Michael Essien set up Junior Agogo in the 80th, and Haminu Draman scored again for Ghana with a 25-yard shot five minutes later.

Ghana celebrating third place achievment

 
Ivory Coast missed a lot of chances in the first half. Sagogo hit the post in the 37th on an assist by Didier Drogba.

"We played a fantastic game," Ghana coach Claude Le Roy said. "They missed their chances and failed to kill the game. Big thanks to the players."

Ivory Coast goalkeeper Tiasse Kone made a brilliant save to stop Eric Addo's header in the 27th. Saturday's game pitted three Chelsea stars against each other. Ghana's Essien and Ivory Coast's Drogba and Salomon Kalou.

Mensah was back at the heart of the Black Stars' defense after missing the semifinal loss to Cameroon due to suspension. Ivory Coast, the 1992 winner, was beaten in the final four by defending champion Egypt in a repeat of the 2006 final.

Cameroon meets Egypt in Sunday's final.

Lineups:

Ghana: Richard Kingson, John Paintsil, John Mensah, Hans Sarpei, Anthony Annan, Michael Essien, Eric Addo, Sulley Muntari, Haminu Dramani (Harrison Afful, 89), Junior Agogo, Baffour Gyan (Quincy Owusu-Abeyie, 20).

Ivory Coast: Tiasse Kone, Emerse Fae, Marc Zoro, Christian Koffi Ndri, Arthur Boka, Didier Zokora, Abdelkader Keita (Yaya Toure, 64), Salomon Kalou (Gervais Kouassi, 73), Siaka Tiene, Didier Drogba, Boubacar Sanogo

Stay with Sierra Experss media, for your trusted place in news!