TONIGHT’S AFRICAN CUP of Nations semi-final between Ghana and Equatorial Guinea was marred by serious crowd trouble.
Four-time champions Ghana were leading 3-0 against the host nation in Malabo when the game was called to a halt in the closing minutes. After a 30 minute delay, it was restarted and ended in the same scoreline.
The first goal came three minutes before half-time when Jordan Ayew converted a penalty awarded for a foul on Kwesi Appiah by goalkeeper Felipe Ovono.
Mubarak Wakaso scored the second in stoppage-time with a close-range shot after a counterattack left the Equatoguineans outnumbered.
The Equatorial Guinea fans threw bottles onto the pitch and technical area throughout the game and riot police had to accompany players off the pitch at half-time.
Midway through the second half, Ghana captain Andre Ayew tapped in to make it 3-0 but with eight minutes remaining, the match was stopped by officials a group of Ghanaian fans left the stands for fear of their own safety.
It looked as though the tie would be postponed after a large number of spectators exited the ground while players and officials stood around bemused.
Incredibly, however, the game was kicked off again and three minutes were played before the referee blew the final whistle.
Ghana progress to face Ivory Coast in the final.
Additional reporting by © AFP, 2015
