Substitute Poku converts vital penalty for Ghana

Substitute Kwadwo Poku converted the decisive penalty as Ghana edged Senegal 7-6 in a shootout on Wednesday to qualify for the African Nations Championship final.

A thrilling semi-final between the west African countries finished 1-1 after extra time in the central Ivory Coast city Bouake as Yaw Antwi gave Ghana a first-half lead and Alpha Sow levelled.

With the sides level at 6-6 on penalties before a capacity 25,000 Peace Stadium crowd, Ghana goalkeeper Philemon MacCarthy saved from Vito Badiane before Poku scored to become an instant national hero.

Ghana must wait a few hours to know whether their final opponents on Sunday will be Zambia or the Democratic Republic of Congo, who clash at Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium in the Ivorian economic capital Abidjan.

The battle between Ghana, boasting the hottest attack in a tournament for home-based footballers, and opponents who had not conceded a goal in three group matches, took a dramatic turn during the first half.

Senegal surrendered their perfect defensive record on 31 minutes when Antwi scored his second goal in as many matches by striking from close range after Rahim Ayew broke free out wide and crossed.

But the ‘Lions’ took just four minutes to respond with Sow, scorer of the only goal Senegal managed in four qualifiers, equalising when a free kick deflected off a ‘wall’ into his path.

Ghana came closest to breaking the deadlock in regulation time when Harrison Afful temporarily abandoned his defensive duties and unleashed a drive that seemed bound for the net until Mamadou Ba produced a superb save.

A day before Ghana play in the final, Senegal meet the losers of the second semi-final for third place.