Favourites through as dream runs end

By Peter Auf der Heyde Feb 4, 2012, 21:22 GMT

Libreville, Gabon - Favourites Zambia and Ivory Coast on Saturday advanced to the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations as they ended the dream runs of Sudan and Equatorial Guinea.

In the early match played in Bata, Zambia proved too strong for a 10-man Sudan side, running out 3-0 winner. In the later match, Didier Drogba turned from villain to hero, as he missed a penalty, but then scored twice en route to a 3-0 win for his side.

Ivorian coach Francois Zahoui, paid a compliment to their opponents. 'The game was as difficult as we expected, Equatorial Guinea have had a great tournament. I'm pleased we scored three goals and with the way we played.'

His counterpart, Gilson Paulo, who took over the coaching position in December when Henri Michel quit, said he was satisfied with what they had achieved.

'I knew it would be a very difficult game against experienced players with a lot of quality,' he said. 'I am happy with the job we did in a short time.'

The stadium in the Equatorial Guinea capital of Malabo was surprisingly not filled, although the game pitted the co-hosts Equatorial Guinea against one of the tournament favorites, and Ivory Coast immediately stamped their authority on the game.

They were awarded a penalty in the 29th minute as Ivory Coast-born Ben Konate brought down Didier Zokora, but goalkeeper Danilo did well to save Drogba's spot-kick.

Drogba made amends just seven minutes later after a dreadful mistake by a Equatorial Guinean defender allowed the striker into the area, where he went around two markers before scoring with a low shot into the corner.

He scored his side's second goal in the 69th minute when he out-jumped the defence to head home Toure's free-kick.

Toure, who a few weeks ago was crowned the African Footballer of the Year, scored with a direct free-kick in the 81st minute to give the Elephants an emphatic victory.

Ivory Coast, who have yet to concede a goal during the tournament, will face the winner of Sunday's quarter-final between co-host Gabon and Mali in Thursday's semi-final in Libreville.

In Bata, Zambia dominated throughout the game and won through goals by Stoppila Sunzu, captain Christopher Katongo and James Chamanga.

A small crowd of 2,000 saw Sudanese defender Saif Masawi sent off for a second booking in the 66th minute.

Zambian coach Herve Renard was not very complimentary about their opponents after the match.

'Sudan can make you go to sleep with the way they play, but we were expecting it,' he told journalists.

'We hope now to go all the way to the final on the 12th. Ghana are the big favourites now in my opinion but they are a team we'll be prepared for if they win through. Tunisia are a formidable team too.'

Sunzu opened the scoring in the 15th minute when the TP Mazembe midfielder headed a free-kick home unmarked. The Zambians could have gone further ahead, but Sudan goalkeeper Salim Akram pulled off good saves from Chisamba Lungu and Rainford Kalaba to keep his side in the game.

The Sudanese, whose last victory at the Africa Cup of Nations ahead of this competition dated to 1970 when they won the trophy at home, had a bit more of the match in the second half, but failed to create chances.

Instead, Katongo doubled Zambia's lead in the 66th minute after a penalty when he was brought down by Masawi, who received his second booking for the foul.

Akram pulled off a good save from the initial kick, but the ball fell back to Katongo, who made no mistake at the second attempt.

There was no coming back from there for Sudan, and Zambian substitute Chamanga, from Chinese club Dalian Shide, added insult to injury shortly before the end when he side-footed the ball past Akram.