HT: Cameroon 0-0 Ghana
By the halftime whistle of Gambian FIFA referee Bakary Papa Gassama, the semifinal encounter between Cameroon Indomitable Lions and Ghana Black Stars at Franceville Stadium was still goalless.
It is a tactical game with either sides resorting for a cautious approach although Cameroon has been the most direct, hungrier and lively side.
Cameroon skipper Benjamin Moukandjo, Christian Bassagog, winger Fai Collins Ngoran and Zoua Daogari have posed most questions for the Ghana backline and midfield.
Cameroon’s best chance was in 8th minute when a Moukandjo corner was headed by Kamgang but Ghana skipper Andre Aye cleared off the line.
Ghana replied in the 24th minute through Jordan Ayew, who shot over inside the 18 yards box.
Four minutes later, Ghana left back Frank Acheampong had a weak shot played out for a corner after Jordan Ayew’s clever back heel.
Against the run of play Jordan Ayew should have given the Black Stars the lead but watched on in disbelief as his shot sailed out for a goal kick.
There is plenty of time left at this Franceville arena in a match where a number of CAF dignitaries including Dr. James Ssekajugo from Uganda, who flew in from Libreville to catch the game.
The winner will face Egypt who beat Burkina Faso on Wednesday in Libreville in the first semifinal.
Team Line ups:
Cameroon XI: Joseph Fabrice Ondoa Ebogo (G.K), Adolphe Teiku Kamgang, Ngadeu Ngadjui Michael, Oyongo Bitolo Ambrose, Benjamin Bile Moukandjo (Captain), Zoua Dagari Jacques, Christian Mougang Bassogog, Sebastien Clovis Siani, Sutchuin Djoum Gilles Arnaud, Robert Ndip Tambe, Fai Collins Ngora Suiru
Subs: Ernest Olivier Mabouka Massoussi, Nicholas Julio Nkoulou, Clinton Njie, Aboubakar Vincent Aboubakar, Edgar Nicaise Salli, Frank Thi
Head coach: Hugo Henri Broos (Begium)
Ghana XI: Razak Brimah (G.K), Thomas Teye Partey, Afriyie Acquah, Christian Atsu Twasam, Jordan Pierre Ayew, Andre Morgan Rami Ayew (Captain), Mubaraka Wakaso, Daniel Amartey, John Biye, Frank Opoku Acheampong, Harrison Afful
Subs: Andrew Kyere Yiadom, Gyan Asamoah, Jonathan Mensah, Emmanuel Badu Agyeman, Richard Ofori, Ebenezar Assifuah, Ebenezar Ofori, Abdual Fatawu Dauda, Abdul Rahman Baba, Edwin Gyimah, Samuel Tetteh
Head coach: Abraham Grant (Israel)
Match Officials:
Center Referee: Bakary Papa Gassama (Gambia)
1st Assistant Referee: Jean Claude Birumushahu (Burundi)
2nd Assistant Referee: Waleed Ahmed Ali (Sudan)
4th Official: Joshua Bondo (Botswana)
Commissioner: Amadou Souley (Nigeria)
General Coordinator: Khaled Lemkecher (Tunisia)