Ivory Coast set up Zambia final

After knocking out MaliYesterday’s results1st semi-finalGhana 0-1 Zambia 2nd semi-finalIvory Coast 1-0 Mali A contender for the goal of the competition from Arsenal striker Gervinho against Mali yesterday put Ivory Coast into the Africa Cup of Nations final.Gervinho’s solo moment of brilliance deep into the first half gave the Elephants’ a 1-0 win and left them on a collision course with Zambia, shock winners over Ghana in the day’s other semifinal.The pair will faceoff at Libreville’s L’Amitie stadium on Sunday.For the Ivorians, this will be their first appearance in the Nations Cup climax since they were beaten by Egypt in Cairo in 2006.They are seeking their second continental title after a lone success 20 years ago.Mali had struggled manfully to keep the orange tide at bay in a frenetic first half, until Gervinho made his mark with a little help from some slack defending.Depriving Mali back Ousmane Berthe of the ball bang on the halfway line, the Gunners star scampered hare-like down the left wing, leaving Malian pursuers in his wake to shoot right-footed past Soumaila Diakite and into the far corner.The Eagles coach Alain Giresse pounded the dug out with his fist in frustration.The Ivorians went into this semifinal looking to avoid the same fate as Ghana, the Black Stars having been knocked out by so-called minnows Zambia across the border in Bata earlier.The hot favourites switched three from Saturday’s last eight win over Equatorial Guinea - Salomon Kalou, Cheik Tiote and PSG’s Siaka Tiene in for Arthur Boka, Kafoumba Coulibaly and Max Gradel.Mali made two changes from the side that won Sunday’s stamina-sapping quarterfinal against Gabon, with French-based forwards Cheick Tidiane Diabate and Moustapha Yattabare on for injured duo Abdou Traore and Modibo Maiga.Earlier, Emmanuel Mayuka came off the bench to score a late goal as Zambia shocked Ghana to earn a place in the Africa Cup of Nations final.The substitute collected a pass and steered a shot into the bottom corner 12 minutes from the end after Asamoah Gyan missed a first-half penalty.

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Ivory Coast set up Zambia final