Crowd trouble as Ghana cruise into final

Afcon semifinal Thursday Equatorial Guinea 0-3 Ghana Missile-throwing home spectators caused a near 40-minute second-half delay as Ghana set up an Africa Cup of Nations final with Ivory Coast by outplaying hosts Equatorial Guinea 3-0 Thursday. Play was halted eight minutes from time as disgruntled home fans flung various objects on the pitch and a lengthy break ensued before order was restored and play resumed. A police helicopter flew low over the ground while Ghanaian supporters, feeling threatened by the home crowd, spilled into the area surrounding the pitch at the 15 000-seat Estadio de Malabo. A Ghana Football Association tweet read: “Police helicopter hovers above the pitch with the Ghana fans in real danger. It’s now like a war zone.” Ghanaian fans invade the pitch to escape projectiles being thrown at them. Players, coaches and the match officials stood on the pitch during the drama while security officials ushered Ghanaian supporters into one section of the ground. Jordan Ayew converted a 42nd-minute penalty, Mubarak Wakaso struck a minute into first-half stoppage time and Andre Ayew tapped in on 75 minutes of the semifinal. The final in port city Bata Sunday will be a repeat of the 1992 final won 11-10 on penalties by Ivory Coast after 120 goalless minutes in Dakar. That was the Ivorians’ lone Cup of Nations title while Ghana have won the African football showpiece four times, although the last triumph came in Tripoli 33 years ago. Equatorial Guinea, who exceeded expectations by reaching the semi-finals, face the Democratic Republic of Congo in Malabo Saturday for third place. However, after Thursday’s shambolic scenes, it remains to be seen whether or not that match will be played at the venue.

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Crowd trouble as Ghana cruise into final