February 9, 2012
Emmanuel Mayuka says he knew it was game, set and match after scoring the lone goal against 10-man Ghana in the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations semifinal in Bata on Wednesday.
And the Chipolopolo Boys will face West African power houses Ivory Coast in this year’s African Cup of Nations final. Herve Renard will be up against the tournament favourites who are yet to conceded a goal at the tournament as the Copper Bullets try to continue their giant killing tag.
The Chris Katongo captained side have so far dispatched pre-tournament favourites Senegal and Ghana, and next is the highly rated but underachievers from West Africa boasting of the likes of Yaya and Kolo Toure, Didier Drogba and goalscorer of the lone goal over Mali in the semi finals Gervihno.
For the third and Fourth playoff, Ghana will face Mali on Saturday in Malabo while Zambia head to Libreville, Gabon for the first time as they try to fulfill the destiny of those fallen heroes who perished off the coast of Gabon in April 1993.
Zambia beat Ghana 1-0 in a match in which Herve Renard’s side were second best, but persevered to win in dramatic fashion after the 21-year-old striker from Young Boys in Switzerland struck a sweet volley in the 78th minute to take Chipolopolo to the final.
Mayuka said at Estadio de Bata that it was an overwhelming feeling to have scored the winning goal with Zambia under the cosh until they got what would turn out to be their ticket to Libreville on Sunday.
“I cannot really tell you how it felt,” Mayuka said. “I am really speechless especially after the final whistle I have to think a little bit about that.”
The goal was Mayuka’s third of this Nations Cup, level with Zambia captain Christopher Katongo ,and both players are now in line for the tournament’s Golden Boot award.
Mayuka came on at the start of the second half for an ineffective James Chamanga, who was making his first start after coming on as a substitute in Zambia’s 3-0 quarterfinal win over Sudan in Bata in which he scored Zambia’s third and final goal in the 88th minute.
Meanwhile, Mayuka said scoring the goal was easy despite the pressure as time ticked away and the Black Stars continued to push as they smelt blood.
“When I had to ball, I saw the defender backing off a little bit and then I just said to myself take a shot,” Mayuka said. “And then I just said to myself thank you God and I knew this was our day.”
41 Comments on "That boy Mayuka on his goal as Zambia to face Ivory Coast in the Final"
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yu on Thu, 9th Feb 2012 10:12 AM
bimataa bimataa , stumpy & samson ngoma alias sango have no choice but to eat humble pies. Already bimataa on his fb wall (sims simataa) says he had a moment of madness when we won. Not true but they want to look patriotic too. Oyeeeeee. Vioneni vi…… Rb can finish for me…
Mash on Thu, 9th Feb 2012 10:16 AM
it was a well scored goal, that goal my MAN will land you in your place of greatness.
The Bigge on Thu, 9th Feb 2012 10:20 AM
Great. Next time Renard start Chris Katongo and Jonas Sakuwaha as twin strikers upfront.
Kay Hummer on Thu, 9th Feb 2012 10:24 AM
It was a world class goal from a player whom i think will soon be playing in one of the top teams in Europe!!!!We done CHIPOLOPOLO!!!!
Anonymous on Thu, 9th Feb 2012 10:27 AM
Mayuka Saga………….
Maite & Man City on Thu, 9th Feb 2012 10:28 AM
Lets ‘goal’ Zambia
Mohamed Kazai on Thu, 9th Feb 2012 10:30 AM
Congrats Chipolopolo and grab that cup. Now is your time
SHINGA-MANYELA on Thu, 9th Feb 2012 10:30 AM
listening TWAWINA-WINA TATWABA LAZY MAYOOO…
Anonymous on Thu, 9th Feb 2012 10:34 AM
It was like a single shot to the head with a 9mm full metal jacket and Ghana was dead…..Am sooooo speechless and I feel so proud to be Zambian
kiza on Thu, 9th Feb 2012 10:34 AM
I agree withe The Bigge,Herve MUST start with Saku and Chris Ivory Coast will cry.Mr Herve Renard do not wait until its too late use Saku this time.
Sinya - Never say Die on Thu, 9th Feb 2012 10:50 AM
Mayuka Saga… very proud very very proud
kuku on Thu, 9th Feb 2012 10:57 AM
Mayuka for Man U.
Keleto/ cmt on Thu, 9th Feb 2012 11:01 AM
I can see Mayuka in an Arsenal Shirt.
Percy on Thu, 9th Feb 2012 11:03 AM
I think saku is a better striker than Chamanga. I hope Herve can unleash this deadly boy on Ivory Coast and they will not know what has hit them. I only hope the coach will do that but all the same we trust in his abilities. Great tactician. Great coach. May God bless you Renard and the boys. Go Zambia Go. It’s our time to shine..
1 Gunner on Thu, 9th Feb 2012 11:26 AM
Enough said,sung,danced.now da cup is coming here in zambia.GOD bless our nation Zambia.
Wachishinka on Thu, 9th Feb 2012 11:29 AM
Anyone trying to talk Renard into using their prefered striker should shut up,he has his own tactics and so far they are working….Chamanga, Mayuka, Kangwa and everyone are there for a reason and so far so good… Period!
Big john on Thu, 9th Feb 2012 11:36 AM
The Fox u done us proud the kalu haters av bin proved wrong:Reuben kamanga,simata simata,Andrew kamanga,Daniel kaoma,desmond u regected the kuming of Renard shame on u..Go Zed!
Chishimba chishimbah on Thu, 9th Feb 2012 11:42 AM
I saw it coming.
Ze bge on Thu, 9th Feb 2012 11:43 AM
Zambie must put on its orange jersey 2 demolish de so called fancied team ivory coast . 2 God b de Glory nw & forever.
Magic on Thu, 9th Feb 2012 11:56 AM
@Wachishinka, I agree. Let us let HR do his job. I think he now needs a break from the armchair coaches. Leave our PE teacher alone. Go HR, Go Zambia.
Moses Sabuni on Thu, 9th Feb 2012 11:59 AM
May our dear LORD, that mayuka praised after scoring that goal help our boys, by giving them more stregth in their knees, sharp mentality, unbreakable faith, skill and the FINAL victory in this AFCON.
chileshe on Thu, 9th Feb 2012 12:19 PM
Yep i totally agree,jonas is a better striker than chamanga,he should definitely be added in the ivorycoast game especially in the first half.anyhow funtastic play cooper bullets,kindly bring that cup home!!go zambia go
benon on Thu, 9th Feb 2012 12:22 PM
i agree with other pipo sugestng saku starts ahead of mutwe mutwe(chamanga) then introduce mayuka in 2nd half.we can bury the elephant in 1st half even b4 2nd half.lets leav da game in da handz of HR.We dont have any option bt to bring it to home and display it at mwanawasa stadium to mark the oficial opening of the stadium
K ways on Thu, 9th Feb 2012 12:25 PM
May the Lord God put mor goals in those legs, bless you and evry one in the team.
Steve Yeye on Thu, 9th Feb 2012 12:29 PM
The Zambia national team has really brought joy to the nation.I’m so happy for being Zambian.Mayuka,Kalaba,Chansa,Chisamba,Katongo and the rest do not have those big thighs like our opponents but they are very strong in brains and skills.Shoot the elephants and bring their tusks to Zambia as proof.
ba zambia on Thu, 9th Feb 2012 12:36 PM
UNCLE SIMATA SIMATA POSTED THIS ON HIS FACEBOOK PAGE “I went to watch the game at Pamodzi hotel, when the penalty was given my heart rate went up….. I shouted to Mweene – Mweene you can catch that. .. moment later he saved… I could not stomach the rest so I left my friends came home driving slowly.. got home… watched for 5 minutes could not stomach it…went to take a shower …finally pulled myself together and watched the last 20 minutes. …. I have not screamed, cried, screamed since 1994 man I did not realise so much had bottled inside me………… run onto the road and hugged everyone I met.Today I enjoyed a moment of insanity.”
Gametime12 on Thu, 9th Feb 2012 1:09 PM
Zambian fans are comics. Whats this talk of Jonas being a better striker than Chamanga. James Chamanga was impressive today even though he did not score a goal. Jonas only played for 4 minutes in the quarter finals and only touched the ball about three times and there was this talk of him making great runs. Did we watch different games or what? you can re-watch these games online stop getting so emotionally attached to some players. Sakuwaha is not tested at this level. Id rather have a tested chamanga than an untested Sakuwaha at the afcon. I’m not even taking anything away from the lad. He is a very good player, but We just have too much talent in this team. Let the coach make the lineup.
Seen from afar on Thu, 9th Feb 2012 1:10 PM
The team has equaled the success of any Zambian team. Big congratulations to them all!
We defended for long periods of the game making sure Ghana was not going to get at us. We could have played them if we had chosen to throw caution to the wind, but we knew just one strike could win it. If you watch those final minutes again you can see how nervous we were holding Ghana at the end. We were out numbered in the box consistently with guys just outside the box not daring to move. Understandable considering what was at stake. We must improve in those crucial moments, continue reading the danger, and not switch off. With Ivory Coast’s strong defence, i would like to see us play them, they defend in formation with numbers and that means we should be able hold them back. It’s an interesting one, we’ll see how it’s going to play.
Seen from afar on Thu, 9th Feb 2012 1:17 PM
Guys, stop calling for players, the coach already knows people want Saku. The coach is going decide what is best. He knows what he’s doing! Eish.
Soccer then what? on Thu, 9th Feb 2012 1:47 PM
Simatta and the tamanga boys shame on yo pittiful pathetic faces for hating our very own great kalu without course. Mwanya bafi**li. Tamwakamukwanishe.
ba zambia on Thu, 9th Feb 2012 1:50 PM
Ghana fans make Gyan scapegoat
09 February 2012, 11:54
Ghana striker Asamoah Gyan exited the Africa Cup of Nations as public enemy No 1 among some Black Stars’ supporters after Wednesday’s quarterfinal loss to Zambia.
The Sunderland forward, on-loan to Al-Ain, was on the receiving end of vitriolic abuse on social networking site twitter from Ghana fans who held him solely responsable for their team’s shock 1-0 demise.
Overlooking Gyan’s contribution in getting Ghana into the last four they honed in on his first-half penalty miss.
Awarded for a foul on Kwadwo Asamoah by Davies Nkausu, Gyan’s tame spot kick was saved by Zambia keeper Kennedy Mweene who, guessing correctly, dived to his left and pushed the ball away with his left hand.
Gyan, whose three goals were instrumental in Ghana reaching the 2010 Nations Cup final, was not at his sharpest and shot timidly at Mweene soon after when put through by Andre Ayew.
Gyan also missed a last minute penalty in the final minute of Ghana’s World Cup quarterfinal against Uruguay, a fact that did not escape Black Stars’ twitter users.
Among the milder messages posted by disgruntled fans were: “Please I beg! Don’t take any more penalty shootings. Thank you @ASAMOAH_GYAN” and “I tried to defend @ASAMOAH_GYAN from the time he missed in the WC but this is too much you should retire from the team.”
Another read: “You let your country down again @ASAMOAH_GYAN”
This was an embarrassing end to a competition in which after conjuring up a superb goal from a freekick against Mali in the first round he had described himself as “a great striker”.
The under-fire forward received support from his team captain, John Mensah.
The Ghana defender said: “I spoke to Gyan after the game. We all know that it can happen to anyone to miss a penalty. I told him to concentrate on our next match (Saturday’s third place play-off with Mali).”
Mensah said the mood in the Ghana camp was one of sadness.
“It’s tough to think of playing for third place, first we have to digest this game. We all wanted to make it to the final and win the title. Everyone is very sad, but I have to pick the players up and prepare for Saturday.”
Ghana’s assistant coach Akwasi Appiah also lent his support to Gyan, saying: “It’s almost always the best players who miss penalties.”
Gyan could also seek solace from Gabon’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
The Panthers’ top scorer failed to convert his spot-kick in the 5-4 penalty shoot-out loss to Mali in the quarterfinal ON SUPERSPORT
Umusungu Biii on Thu, 9th Feb 2012 2:41 PM
Bloggers, whats your take?
For Zambia to complete the consummation as a GREAT FOOTBALL NATION, after winning the Championship on Sunday, We need to host the AFCON. The economy and time now is RIPE!!!! Let us lobby for ZAMBIA for AFCON 2017 or 2019!!!!!!
trevor on Thu, 9th Feb 2012 2:52 PM
is there a plane going to gabon for the finals?we need to go support our boys!please send info ASAP
bbz. on Thu, 9th Feb 2012 6:38 PM
The plane is definately going to Gabon as ealier promised by the president that when Zambia reaches final,he wanna send some fans to watch the final game between now Zambia and Ghana! I want to know the criteria the y are going to be using when sending some soccer fans to Gabon? I want to be part of those going to Gabon please!!! Put it into action mr president coz we can’t wait.
bbz. on Thu, 9th Feb 2012 6:40 PM
Point of correction its zambia vs ivory coast.
stanley hankanga on Thu, 9th Feb 2012 9:03 PM
all the best to the boys
Zedian Prince on Thu, 9th Feb 2012 9:26 PM
Please learn the tactics on the following website:
http://www.zonalmarking.net/2012/02/08/zambia-1-0-ghana-zambia-africa-nations-cup-tactics/
Mumba on Fri, 10th Feb 2012 9:39 AM
I WOULD NOT BE SURPRISED IF HALF THE BABIES BORN ON 8TH FEBRUARY 2012 WERE NAMED MAYUKA OR MWEENE ho HA HO all the way . WELL DONE ZAMBIA, HE BATTLE IS NOT YET OVER ! WE ARE BEHIND YOU ALWAYS. GO AND CONQUER THE “FAVORITES” COME SUNDAY 12TH FEBRUARY.IYEE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GB on Fri, 10th Feb 2012 9:55 AM
HR predicted that Mayuka will be the next Eto’o. He together will Jacob Mulenga will form a deadly combination.
Robert on Fri, 10th Feb 2012 7:15 PM
Dear Chipolopolo Boys;
You have been fantastic over this CAN edition. You Guys must ensure the cup comes to Zambia and Cosses the border for the FANS of Mazembe.
Mr Renard est un bon Rongeur, il a rongé les lions, … translate for him and ask him to wear the same white Blessed Shirt. My Hi to C. Kathongo, all Mazembe players in the Suquad and all the rest… Thanks a milion. Robert Luhavo From the DRC
bolapazed on Fri, 10th Feb 2012 7:26 PM
James Chamanga was not ineffective at all, he played his part in the strategy of the game that was defensive in nature. Mayuka was thrust in the smash and grab stragey of the second half and delivered. Every game has got a strategy and if it’s proven right, you get your desired results. Whats important is the result. Some results are plain simple to get and some you have to ground them out.