SPORTS: Libya Wins First Continental Silverware As They Beat Ghana 4 - 3 On Penalties #CHAN2014

Libya won their first continental title after beating Ghana in the final match at the CHAN tournament in South Africa.

The match ended goalless after 120 minutes, so the two teams needed the shootouts to determine the winner.

Ghana’s Michael Akuffo, Abeiku Aninson and Joshua Tijani missed their kicks.

At a point, it looked like a straight victory for the Mediterranean Knights after the Black Stars’ first two penalty takers wasted their kicks.

But it took Stephen Adams to put the west Africans in the game after pulling two crucial saves to take the scoreline to 3-3 after all five kicks were exhausted.

However, Tijani failed to extend the battle beyond the sixth kick after failing to convert his.

Ghana were chasing their first title at the senior level in 32 years while the north Africans were aiming at their first continental crown ever.

Interestingly, the last time Ghana won the Africa Cup of Nations in 1982, they beat Libya in the final in Tripoli.

But history could not repeat itself as Javier Clemente’s team snatched the trophy this time around.

The two teams met at the group stage and settled for a 1-1 draw. This was the third straight penalty shootout encounter for the Libyans right from the quarter finals to the grand finale.

Ghana who missed out on the gold medal at the inaugural competition in Ivory Coast in 2009 can boast of some discoveries for the Black Stars ahead of the World Cup.

Goalkeeper Adams who was praised by Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi produced an outstanding performance worthy of consideration for the vacant number three slot in the Black Stars set-up.

Defenders Nuru Sulley and Kwabena Adusei also did well during “auditioning” process.

Rwanda will host the next edition in 2016.

Source: Goal.com

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SPORTS: Zimbabwe 0-1 Nigeria: Christian Obiozor’s Header Seals Bronze For Eagles #CHAN2014

Nigeria claimed third place at the African Nations Championship with a 1-0 victory over Zimbabwe in an entertaining play-off game at the Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town.

Christian Obiozor headed home Nigeria’s winner with five minutes left to play as the Warriors' defence failed to clear substitute Ejike Uzoenyi’s cross.

The ill-tempered game saw the Super Eagles, whose wings were clipped against the Black Stars of Ghana in the semi final, began the game with the intent of getting the early goal by dominating possession right from the referee’s blast of the whistle while the Zimbabweans seemed content to sit back in defence.

Stephen Keshi’s men had the first chance at goal in the fifth minute as Abubakar Ibrahim raced down the right side of the Warriors' defence but Christian Pyagbara failed to score from 10 yards as the opponents failed to clear their line.

Few minutes later, Zimbabwe grew in confidence and almost got the lead. Mahachi profited from a counter-attack, ran down the right, crossed to the near post but there weren’t players in the penalty area to take advantage.

However, the biggest highlight came in the 16th minute as Zimbabwe’s Mambare was sent off for a dangerous play. The Warriors' striker failed in his attempt to connect to a flighted ball and instead hit Chigozie Agbim in the chest with his foot raised high.

Even with this numerical disadvantage, Nigeria failed to break down the defence of their opponents as Ian Gorowa’s men looked rock solid at the rear coupled with great goalkeeping skills by goalkeeper Chigova.

The West Africans continued in the ascendancy, and were somehow kept out by a supreme double save from Chigova. Abdullahi Shehu capitalised on a neat pass to launch a stinging effort at the Zimbabwe captain, who produced a world-class stop to keep the Warriors in the game.

On resumption of the second half, the Eagles continued to dominate but could still not break the deadlock.

The introduction of Uzoenyi for injured Benjamin Francis in the 54th minute was a wise one as the petite forward threatened the Zimbabwean defence times without count.

However, Zimbabwe were not content to sit back as they came on the counter attack through Sithole who sped away down the left but his effort was poor and went wide of the target.

Solomon Kwambe’s free-kick in the 64th was a good one but went just past goalkeeper Chigova scrambling across the net.

While it looked the game would head for extra time, Obiozor headed home the winner that separated both teams. The Rangers of Enugu player who made his debut in the competition made no mistake in heading home a pinpoint cross from Uzoenyi with about five minutes left to play.

Source: Goal.com

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