Zambia v CIV is a dream come true - Kalou

Zambia v CIV is a dream come true – Kalou
Edwin Akwueh and Ikenna Okonkwo, Abuja

Ivorian striker Salomon Kalou has described the Elephants’ progress to the final of the 2012 Africa cup of nations as a dream come true, following their 1-0 victory over Mali in the second semi final decided on Wednesday night.

A goal from solitary effort by winger Gervinho helped the West Africans to set up a final clash against the chipolopolo of Zambia who edged out Ghana also by a lone goal in the other semis decided earlier.

Reacting to the victory, Kalou who plays for English side Chelsea said the Malians presented a tough challenge for them but the high level of commitment and team spirit in the Ivory Coast camp led to the success.

He said, “ Mali is a great team with a great coach. They knocked out the co-hosts (Gabon) who had avery good team. Our goal was not to concede goals and with the forwards we have, every moment, we can make a difference. We did not doubt. The goals can come from anywhere: Yaya (Toure), Gervais (Gervinho), Didier (Drogba), myself. We can score at any time it's an advantage we have on many other teams in this tournament. The final be beautiful against Zambia. We will now prepare again to meet our target. We must digest the semi-finals and Sunday will be another match. "

This semi-final was a hard fought affair between two combative, physical teams, but in the end Ivory Coast just had that little bit more in the tank and were able to edge out the Eagles, though they needed an inspirational strike from Gervinho to do it.

After several misses by both teams in the early moments of the first half, just when it seemed like the two sides would go into the break with the deadlock intact, Gervinho produced a moment of individual brilliance in the final minute of the half.

The Arsenal of England striker beat Ousmane Berthe with a brilliant turn inside his own half before racing down the left flank and all the way into the box to beat Diakite with a right footed shot at the far post.
Mali though tried to push men forward in the closing stages of the match and left themselves vulnerable to counterattacks but in the end Ivory Coast were able to hold on to reach their third nations cup  final.

In 1992 when the tournament was hosted by Senegal, Ivory Coast emerged champions but that was the last time they touched the trophy as further attempts in the Egypt 2006 final ended in futility.

Sunday’s final against Zambia is another opportunity for the Ivorians especially the current generation of players to record a significant success in over twenty years.

Wednesday’s Highlights

After what appeared to be uncertain on which countries could make it to the final of the on-ongoing Nations cup, Zambia and Cote d’ivore are now tied to a final showdown.
Surprisingly, Ghana’s hope of claiming another cup of Nations after 30 years suffered terrible blow, following a late goal from the Chipolopolo in their semi-final game on Wednesday.
The only goal was scored by substitute, Emmanuel Mayaka who fired a straight shot for the Zambians just iby the corner of the goal post.
Asomoah Gyan who would have given Ghana an early lead failed to convert penalty shot.
It was what looked a repeat though not during any African tournament, when the Black Stars fell to a penalty-shoot out defeat in the quarter-final against Uruguay, where Gyan also missed from the spot in normal time.
This time it was Zambia’s keeper, Kennedy Mweene looking highly experienced who saved the shot, as the striker shot low to the Mweene’s left after Asamoah was caught by Nkausu following Samuel Inkoom's cross. Even before and after then, efforts by the Ghanaians to pull several cross proved otherwise.
 The Black stars also finished the match with 10 men after Derek Boateng received his marching orders from the South African umpire.
So, Chipolopolo will be appearing in their first continental final since they lost the 1994 decider to Nigeria. They are the only ones who appear to have believed they could go all the way in this tournament, hoping to write their names in history books.
In another development, Cote d'Ivoire have sealed their place in the final of the Cup of Nations following their 1-0 win over Mali.

The Ivorians will now face Zambia in Sunday's decider looking forward to another continental championship after  they beat Ghana in a shoot-out in the final that ended11-10 in favour of The Elephants in 1992.

Arsenal forward, Gervinho put the Ivorians ahead in the first-half stoppage time when he came from behind, posing superlative control the ball from the left flank to score his only goal so far in the tournament.

Thereafter, the Ivorians were largely reduced to shooting from long range in the first half.

On Sunday, the 1992 champions will take to the field in Libreville's Stade de l'Amitie again as they try to win only the country's second title against a Zambian side that has never won the trophy.
Ivory Coast lost out to hosts Egypt in the final of the 2006 edition on penalties, suffered a quarter final exit in the previous edition held in Angola and must defeat a Malian side with similar experience in order to end a twenty year Nations cup drought. 

Meanwhile, Mali will travel to the Equatoguinean city, Bata to play Ghana in Saturday's third-place play-off.