Amazing final phase of the Africa Cup of Nations where feats and many surprises were manifold in the first round of before logic came back in the competition to offer us rational quarterfinals and two tough semifinals. Indeed, it all started with a real tsunami. Some among the "protesters", we had ranked among the favorites before the tournament, were pathetically trapped. We think particularly about Senegal. The Lions never saw the daylight and returned home at half mane. Likewise  for Morocco, which could be seen blazing and conqueror but eventually obliged to win its last match against the modest Niger to save what was left of its  honor. Exit also outsiders such as Burkina Faso, Guinea and Angola. Africa   really organized a party for the small teams and host countries, Sudan, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon. But for all the novice in the attendance of the summits, the quarterfinals sounded the end of playtime.Thus, the Ivorian professional armada,  constellation   if any, thrashed the Equatorial Guinea team despite the continuous support of a the warm and colorful public of  Malabo. The Ivorian goals scored by Didier Drogba sand Yaya Toure, were the symbol of the striking power of the Elephants whose dream of inheriting the winners' paradise of the AFCON, rather than the graveyard of eternal defeated, remains feasible. Likewise Zambia did not give any chance to  the Sudanese already happy to be invited to such a feast. Attractive and ever serious, Herve Renard's men took their revenge as regarding  the 2010 AFCON  when they were eliminated in the quarterfinals unfairly by Nigeria. Mali will be the third tough team in these semifinals. The Eagles of Bamako were really frightened. First beaten though worthily by Ghana, they were able to catch the right door of the locomotive by dominating   Botswana and an charming  team of Guinea. Before playing the quarter-finals   their reference match against Gabon in hell of the Olympic Stadium in Libreville. This success against the over stimulated Panthers gives Alain Giresse men the right to the wildest dream.   As Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana is another declared favorite who a perfect course. Certainly, observers of the AFCON have all emphasized the remarkable absence of the teammates of the Marseille player, Andre Ayew. But, solid behind and efficient  just what is needed in front, the John Mensah group knew how to answer present in important rendez-vous: against Mali (2-0) in the first round and before a beautiful Tunisian team (2 - 1) in the quarter final. The Black Stars enter the final four for the third consecutive time (2008, 2008, 2010, 2012) and are in position to win a title that eludes them since 1982. Thirty years already! So here we are with a final four made up of four top teams that each have an excellent reason to go for the continental trophy. Twice a finalist in the AFCON (1976 and 1994), Zambia is not afraid of anything or anyone. And to play  a third and final win it, the Chipolopolo will have to defeat the  Ghanaian footballers in the semifinals. A complicated task, because the young Black Stars on their part feel that the time has come for them to join their illustrious elders in the living room of champions. The other semifinal, is no less glamorous. Cote d'Ivoire and Mali are well acquainted. Their confrontations have always been hotly contested. Certainly, the course of the Ivorians in the AFCON was more perfect than that of the Malians, but they proved against Gabon   that they had the necessary psychological resources to accomplish of great feats. Cote d’Ivoire - Ghana is also a great opportunity for  a formidable West African derby.   program

Semifinals:
Wednesday,
February 8  Bata: Ghana - Zambia
Libreville: Mali - Ivory Coast
3rd place game: Saturday, February 11: Malabo
Final: Sunday 12 févrieer: Libreville  
Confrontations in the finals of the AFCON
1978: 1st round: Ghana 2 Zambia 1
1992: 1st round: 1 Ghana 0 Zambia
1994: 3rd place: Mali 3 Ivory Coast 1
2008: 1st round: Ivory Coast 3 0 Mali
Titles won Ghana, 4 (1963, 1965, 1978, 1982).
Côte d'Ivoire, 1 (1992),
Zambia and Mali, 0
Podium places