Live Now: Ghana vs Cameroon

Match Info

Ghana   Semi Final Match 29 Accra 7 Feb 2008, 17h00 (GMT) Score: 0-1   Cameroon

Goals

12. Alain Nkong 71'

Match Centre Match Statistics

Cameroon have done it! Ghana dominated the second half but their dream of a fifth African championship was ended by Alain Nkong’s goal on the counter. The Black Stars had their chances but one has to give Cameroon credit for their character - earlier in this tournament they never looked like potential finalists but they have grown with each game. They will play either Cote d’Ivoire or Egypt in the final on Sunday.

90+5’ – Michael Essien swings in a good cross from the right but Idriss Carlos Kameni is there to pluck the ball out of the air.
FULL TIME. Ghana 0 Cameroon 1.

90+4’ – Ahmed Barusso takes the set piece but it’s over the crossbar. That surely is the end of Ghana’s dream...

90+3’ – A free kick for Ghana five metres out from Cameroon’s penalty area. Can the hosts pull off a miracle here?

90+1’ – Red card: Andre Bikey loses his head! The Cameroon defender comes in to push a marshal away as Rigobert Song is receiving treatment and that’s the end of his tournament. That was crazy from the defender!
There will be four minutes of added time.

89’ – A ball in towards Junior Agogo now but Idriss Carlos Kameni comes off his line and punches clear.

88’ – Ahmed Barusso clips a good long ball forward for Haminu Dramani to chase but Rigobert Song cleans up as he has been doing all night...

86’ – Substitution: Ahmed Barusso replaces Andre Ayew. It seems as if Michael Essien will move out of defence now and get further forward.

84’ – Stephane Mbia tries to catch Richard Kingson off his line, but his 40 metre effort is high and wide.

82’ – Time is running out for the hosts if they are to pull this game out of the fire...

81’ – Junior Agogo misses a great chance for Ghana! Sulley Muntari’s free kick finds the head of the on rushing striker but his effort is over the crossbar.

80’ – Joel Epalle is back working hard for Cameroon, making a defensive clearance ahead of two Ghanaian players.

78’ – Great save from Idriss Carlos Kameni as he spreads himself to keep out Junior Agogo’s effort! The Ghana striker had beaten Rigobert Song to a long ball in the penalty area.

77’ – Substitution: Augustin Binya replaces Achille Emana for Cameroon.

75’ – Andre Bikey clears John Paintsil’s cross with Junior Agogo lurking behind the defender. Ghana then have a free kick on their left but the ball in deflected up and Idriss Carlos Kameni collects as Agogo gives away a foul on the ‘keeper.

73’ – Well that has silenced the home crowd after such a prolonged period of pressure from Ghana.

71’ – GOAL! Ghana 0 Cameroon 1. What a sucker punch from Cameroon! A long ball out of defence sees Joel Epalle, Samuel Eto’o and Alain Nkong combine to send the latter free and he beats Richard Kingson with a crisp finish.

70’ – Sulley Muntari blasts the free kick straight at the wall. Moments later a cross comes in and Andre Ayew’s shot is deflected over the crossbar by Geremi Njitap.
Yellow card: Rigobert Song is booked.

69’ – Now a free kick in a good position for the hosts as Rigobert Song brings down Andre Ayew.

68’ – Yet another corner for the Black Stars as they pile on the pressure but the delivery is poor and Timothee Atouba heads clear.

67’ – Another corner for Ghana and it finds Michael Essien at the near post but he can only flick it on and out of the penalty area.

65’ – Baffour Gyan finds himself in space but he is soon closed down by Cameroon defenders as he looks to make room for a shot.

63’ – A golden chance goes begging for Ghana! A corner on their right is swung in and finds John Paintsil unmarked at the far post but his standing header is wide of the upright.

62’ – Substitution: Alain Nkong comes on in place of Joseph Desire Job for Cameroon.

61’ – A fantastic cross from John Paintsil but neither Andre Ayew nor Junior Agogo can get on the end of it.
Substitution: Baffour Gyan replaces Quincy Owusu Abeyie for Ghana.

60’ – Anthony Annan tries his luck with a shot but the swerving effort is over the crossbar

59’ – Andre Ayew goes down hoping for a free kick after a strong challenge from Andre Bikey, but the referee waves play on.

57’ – A great cross field ball from Sulley Muntari to set up Haminu Dramani but there’s a great tackle from Timothee Atouba to stop him in his tracks.

55’ – Cameroon hit Ghana on the counter, with Samuel Eto’o beating Michael Essien to the ball and setting up Joel Epalle but he’s crowded out on the edge of the penalty area.

54’ – Ghana are well on top at the moment. The hosts are pushing hard for the opening goal but Cameroon are standing firm at the moment.

52’ – Cameroon play with fire as they give the ball away to Junior Agogo near the penalty area but the big striker is unable to get away an effort on goal.

50’ – Michael Essien now bursts out of defence and into the Cameroon box but he cannot fashion a pass or a shot. He brings down Alexandre Song and the Arsenal youngster looks to have picked up an injury.

47’ – Alexandre Song tries a long range shot with his left foot and it’s a good effort but just over the crossbar.

46’ – Ghana get us back in action in the second half.
Substitution: Cameroon’s Joel Epalle replaces Mohamadou Idrissou.

It’s been a disappointing half of football between these two former Africa Cup of Nations champions. Ghana have missed Michael Essien’s driving force in midfield although the Chelsea man has done well in defence in John Mensah’s absence. Cameroon have yet to really get going and Samuel Eto’o has not had a clear sight of goal in the game. It’s all to play for in the second half...

45+4’ – Half time. Ghana 0 Cameroon 0.

45+3’ – The last touch of the first half almost sees Ghana take the lead! A left wong cross pierces the Cameroon defence and finds Andre Ayew but his header is over the crossbar.

45+2’ – Junior Agogo and Andre Bikey clash heads in an aerial challenge and it’ the Ghana man who comes off the worse. He’s fine to play on though...

45+1’ – There will be three minutes of added time.

45’ – A corner kick for Cameroon. It’s hit towards the far post but Stephane Mbia is unable to keep his header down and it’s behind for a goal kick to the hosts.

43’ – Andre Ayew cuts back onto his left foot and whips in a good cross towards the far post but Idriss Carlos Kameni gracefully plucks it out of the air.

41’ – Mohamadou Idrissou gets down the left wing on a counter attack and whips in a fine ball to the penalty area but Samuel Eto’o was simply too far behind the play and a possible scoring chance is wasted for Cameroon.

39’ – A cross in towards Mohamadou Idrissou for Cameroon but the big forward cannot make anything of that.

38’ – Geremi Njitap takes the set piece and hits the woodwork! His long range shot from more than 30 metres out is beautifully hit and clips the top of the angle between upright and crossbar. What an effort from Geremi!

37’ – A free kick to Cameroon midway inside Ghana’s half after Sulley Muntari and Samuel Eto’o collide. The Indomitable Lions were a bit lucky to get that.

35’ – Rigobert Song does well to put in a last ditch challenge and stop Quincy Owusu Abeyie getting away at the cost of a corner kick. The set piece is towards the near post where Michael Essien is lurking but Cameroon defend well.

34’ – Stephane Mbia tries a long range shot for Cameroon but Michael Essien half blocks the effort and the ball bounces away to safety.

33’ – Another Ghana attack breaks down at Quincy Owusu Abeyie’s feet after he is crowded out by three Cameroon defenders.

31’ – Ghana attack well down their left channel but Quincy Owusu Abeyie’s hesitation allows Geremi Njitap to win back possession.

30’ – Junior Agogo does superbly to chest down a cross in the penalty area and set up Haminu Dramani for a shot, but the ball bobbles slightly and the midfielder’s effort doesn’t trouble Idriss Carlos Kameni.

28’ – Andre Ayew bursts to life for Ghana, beating a couple of Cameroon defenders with some silky running, but his low shot is well saved by Idriss Carlos Kameni diving to his right.

27’ – Michael Essien, playing in central defence today, reads the play beautifully and intercepts a ball before sending Quincy Owusu Abeyie away on attack but the youngster’s cross is poor.

26’ – A long throw in for Cameroon from their left flank towards Joseph Desire Job at the near post but Richard Kingson does well to grasp the ball.

25’ – Sulley Muntari tries an ambitious volley from long range but that was always heading over the crossbar.

24’ – A quick free kick for Ghana in Cameroon’s half and a long ball towards Junior Agogo is headed clear by Andre Bikey. The Black Stars try to mount another attack but an attempted through ball trickles into Idriss Carlos Kameni’s hands.

23’ – Midway through the first half and one has to say that it has been a scrappy game of football so far, with both teams giving away possession all too easily.

21’ – Achille Emana volleys inches over Richard Kingson’s crossbar as Cameroon come the closest we have had thus far to a goal. The attacker took advantage of some hesitancy in the Ghana defence to get his away his right footed shot from just outside the 18-yard area.

19’ – Haminu Dramani now tries to get round Rigobert Song but the Cameroon veteran does well to hold him off and Idriss Carlos Kameni comes off his line to collect the ball.

18’ – Haminu Dramani surges forward on a powerful run but Mohamadou Idrissou makes a good tackle to stop him in his tracks.

17’ – Samuel Eto’o tries a very ambitious shot on goal from the set piece but its straight into the Ghanaian defensive wall.

16’ – A free kick for Cameroon in a decent attacking position after Eric Addo pushes Joseph-Desire Job in the back.

14’ – Timothee Atouba brings down Haminu Dramani and Ghana have a free kick to the right of Cameroon’s penalty area. Sulley Muntari whips it in but his curler to the back post is midjudged and sails out for a goal kick.

13’ – Haminu Dramani does well to win back possession for Ghana and send his team forward on attack.

12’ – It would be a real blow for Ghana if their first choice goalkeeper was forced off.

11’ – Richard Kingson is back up and play restarts but it looks like the ‘keeper is really struggling with his left arm or shoulder.

9’ – A good chance here for Cameroon but Samuel Eto’o collides with Ghana ‘keeper Richard Kinsgon to give away a free kick. The goal minder is now receiving treatment in the penalty area.

7’ – A corner for Cameroon but the delivery is poor, with the ball flying over the players in the middle of Ghana’s penalty area. Ghana’s Anthony Annan then has a long range shot but it’s well off target.

5’ – Andre Bikey of Cameroon is pulled back for pulling Junior Agogo’s shirt and Ghana have a free kick out on their left. Sulley Muntari plays the ball right across the face of goal and the Black Stars are unfortunate to the see the ball bounce over Eric Addo’s head – the first genuine scoring chance of the game.

3’ – Junior Agogo pressures Timothee Atouba out on Ghana’s right flank and wins a throw in.

2’ – A long ball forward for Ghana but it only allows Cameroon goalkeeper Idriss Carlos Kameni the chance to get his hands on the ball.

1’ – Cameroon, playing in their famous green, red and yellow, get us underway in Accra. Ghana wear their traditional all white strip.
Ghana have been forced into a late change in their line-up, with Dede Ayew replacing Laryea Kingston, who was injured in the warm up.

Good evening and welcome to live Play-By-Play coverage of the MTN Africa Cup of Nations semifinal between Ghana and Cameroon from the Ohene Djan Stadium in Accra.

A place in Sunday’s final at this very stadium is on the line tonight as these four-time African champions collide in what promises to be a thrilling encounter.

Hosts Ghana are seeking to emulate Tunisia and Egypt, who won on home soil in 2004 and 2006 respectively, but they face a stern test tonight from Cameroon.

The Indomitable Lions have mounted a strong campaign that few thought possible after the mauling they were given by Egypt in their first match.

In the process Samuel Eto’o has eclipses Laurent Pokou’s record as the all time highest scorer at the Africa Cup of Nations and, after their epic 120-minute 3-2 win over Tunisia on Monday night, Cameroon will be full of confidence in their first semifinal since they won the trophy in 2002.

But the same can be said of Ghana after their dramatic 10-man defeat of bitter rivals Nigeria, although they will miss suspended captain John Mensah following his red card against the Super Eagles.

Our referee tonight is Abderahim El Arjoune from Morocco.