Ghana are continuing their march to a fifth Africa Cup of Nations title with a 2-1 extra time win over Tunisia in the quarter-finals on Sunday.
The Black Stars will on Wednesday battle Zambia in Bata to determine who plays in the final against the winners of the other semi-final between the Ivory Coast and Mali, who overcame co-host Gabon 5-4 on penalties in the day’s other quarter-final.
Skipper John Mensah opened the scoring for Ghana in the 10th minute, when he headed home at the near post off a corner from the left.
Tunisia drew level in the 42nd minute through Evian striker Sabeur Khalifa when he headed bravely past Ghana goalkeeper Adam Kwarasey off a clever cross by Zouhaier Dhaouadi from the right flank.
Ghana regained the lead in the 101st minute after Tunisia goalkeeper Aymen Mathlouthi dropped a harmless-looking cross for Andre Ayew to roll home from five yards out.
Toulouse centre half Aymen Abdennour was sent off in the 108th minute for an elbow on goalscorer Ayew to reduce Tunisia to 10 men.
In Libreville, Mali overcame Gabon in a penalty shootout after their quarter-final finished 1-1 at the end of extra time.
Barcelona star Seydou Keita converted the decisive spot-kick after the co-hosts’ top striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang watched in disbelief as Mali keeper Soumaila Diakite dived left to save his effort.
The Eagles’ reward is a semi-final date with Ivory Coast back at Libreville’s L’Amitie stadium on Wednesday.
For Gabon, who were unbeaten in the first round, this was a cruel end to their campaign, reviving as it did memories of their defeat on penalties to Tunisia in their only other quarter-final appearance in 1996.
At the post-match press conference Keita made an emotional plea for peace in his country following the killing by the Malian army of some 20 Tuareg rebels in the northern city of Timbuktu.
“We should be happy tonight but we are sad and we urge the (Mali) president to do his maximum to stop the fighting.
“Yes we won but I’m afraid about what’s happening back home. It’s not normal, it’s not normal that Malians are killing themselves.”
Turning to his penalty heroics the veteran said: “It was like a dream when I scored the winning penalty. I’m so proud to wear this shirt. I’ve won a lot with Barcelona but this is like winning the Cup.”
Gabon coach Gernot Rohr said: “It’s always difficult when you’re pulled back level in the closing minutes. We lacked a little physical freshness, my players gave a lot in the first round. They can leave this competition with their heads held high.”
