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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2015/feb/05/ghana-v-equatorial-guinea-africa-cup-of-nations-semi-final-live
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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
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| Ghana v Equatorial Guinea: Africa Cup of Nations semi-final – live! | Ghana v Equatorial Guinea: Africa Cup of Nations semi-final – live! |
| (5 months later) | |
| 9.24pm GMT | 9.24pm GMT |
| 21:24 | 21:24 |
| Full-time: Equatorial Guinea 0-3 Ghana, eventually | Full-time: Equatorial Guinea 0-3 Ghana, eventually |
| There is no doubt that Ghana deserve their place in the final, where they will meet Ivory Coast in what could be a classic contest, assuming it goes ahead without a hitch. The consequences of the violence that forced a delay in this semi-final will be worth following. Equatorial Guinea should be banned, but it might not be a good idea to make such a decision before they host the final, especially with Equatorial Guinea scheduled to play DR Congo in the third-placed playoff. On the other hand, it would perhaps be a senseless risk to let Equatorial Guinea play again so soon after this dangerous fiasco. Tough decision ahead for CAF. | There is no doubt that Ghana deserve their place in the final, where they will meet Ivory Coast in what could be a classic contest, assuming it goes ahead without a hitch. The consequences of the violence that forced a delay in this semi-final will be worth following. Equatorial Guinea should be banned, but it might not be a good idea to make such a decision before they host the final, especially with Equatorial Guinea scheduled to play DR Congo in the third-placed playoff. On the other hand, it would perhaps be a senseless risk to let Equatorial Guinea play again so soon after this dangerous fiasco. Tough decision ahead for CAF. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 9.40pm GMT | at 9.40pm GMT |
| 9.21pm GMT | 9.21pm GMT |
| 21:21 | 21:21 |
| 90+2 min: There is an understandable - indeed, perfectly sensible - lack of intensity to the play now. The priority seems to be to just wrap up this game formally and then get the hell out of there. | 90+2 min: There is an understandable - indeed, perfectly sensible - lack of intensity to the play now. The priority seems to be to just wrap up this game formally and then get the hell out of there. |
| 9.19pm GMT | 9.19pm GMT |
| 21:19 | 21:19 |
| 90 min: The official clock in the corner of the TV screen said play actually resumed in the 90th minute. Even some time seems to have got lost during the forced break. | 90 min: The official clock in the corner of the TV screen said play actually resumed in the 90th minute. Even some time seems to have got lost during the forced break. |
| 9.19pm GMT | 9.19pm GMT |
| 21:19 | 21:19 |
| 86 min: It’s on! After a powwow of about one minute, the ref walks over, drops the ball and the game is back on. | 86 min: It’s on! After a powwow of about one minute, the ref walks over, drops the ball and the game is back on. |
| 9.17pm GMT | 9.17pm GMT |
| 21:17 | 21:17 |
| 86 min: The plot thickens. It now seems that play will not resume. The ref and players seemed poised to perform the dropped back for about 60 seconds, but then the ref was beckoned over to the sidelines by chaps in suits - presumably CAF officials - and agitated discussions are taking place. It is not apparent who is in charge, nor what will happen. | 86 min: The plot thickens. It now seems that play will not resume. The ref and players seemed poised to perform the dropped back for about 60 seconds, but then the ref was beckoned over to the sidelines by chaps in suits - presumably CAF officials - and agitated discussions are taking place. It is not apparent who is in charge, nor what will happen. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 9.18pm GMT | at 9.18pm GMT |
| 9.14pm GMT | 9.14pm GMT |
| 21:14 | 21:14 |
| 86 min: Well this is a turn-up. After an interlude of about half an hour, play is resuming with a dropped ball. It’s not clear what is happening in the stands, but reports suggest that the trouble-makers have been driven outside. Quite what is going on out there - and what will go on out here later - is even less clear. | 86 min: Well this is a turn-up. After an interlude of about half an hour, play is resuming with a dropped ball. It’s not clear what is happening in the stands, but reports suggest that the trouble-makers have been driven outside. Quite what is going on out there - and what will go on out here later - is even less clear. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 9.16pm GMT | at 9.16pm GMT |
| 9.11pm GMT | 9.11pm GMT |
| 21:11 | 21:11 |
| Police helicopter hovers above the pitch with the #Ghana fans in real danger. It's now like a war zone. #AFCON2015 pic.twitter.com/9s7UkrYxQF | Police helicopter hovers above the pitch with the #Ghana fans in real danger. It's now like a war zone. #AFCON2015 pic.twitter.com/9s7UkrYxQF |
| 9.10pm GMT | 9.10pm GMT |
| 21:10 | 21:10 |
| The players, ref and assistants are still standing in the middle of the pitch. I don’t know whether that means that they still hope that the match can resume or simply that they cannot find a safe route to the dressing rooms. | The players, ref and assistants are still standing in the middle of the pitch. I don’t know whether that means that they still hope that the match can resume or simply that they cannot find a safe route to the dressing rooms. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 9.37pm GMT | at 9.37pm GMT |
| 9.08pm GMT | 9.08pm GMT |
| 21:08 | 21:08 |
| Volunteers and journalists in the media area all terribly suffering from effects of teargas. | Volunteers and journalists in the media area all terribly suffering from effects of teargas. |
| 9.07pm GMT | 9.07pm GMT |
| 21:07 | 21:07 |
| Ghanaian fans being moved into stand in front of press-box. Not sure how wise - if fans still in tier above us, they'll be sitting ducks. | Ghanaian fans being moved into stand in front of press-box. Not sure how wise - if fans still in tier above us, they'll be sitting ducks. |
| 9.06pm GMT | 9.06pm GMT |
| 21:06 | 21:06 |
| According to various reports, trouble is now brewing outside the stadium: many people of dubious intent have apparently gathered near the exists and are suspected to be waiting to ambush Ghanaian fans. I hope those reports were wrong, or that sufficient security forces are in place to prevent this deteriorating... | According to various reports, trouble is now brewing outside the stadium: many people of dubious intent have apparently gathered near the exists and are suspected to be waiting to ambush Ghanaian fans. I hope those reports were wrong, or that sufficient security forces are in place to prevent this deteriorating... |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 10.00pm GMT | at 10.00pm GMT |
| 9.03pm GMT | 9.03pm GMT |
| 21:03 | 21:03 |
| From what the TV cameras are showing, many of the fans have left the stadium. But apparently not the one causing trouble, judging by the way the Ghanaian fans who were attacked are still huddling behind the goal at one hand, clearly not prepared to return to where they had been. A helicopter is still hovering over the pitch, though stewards seem to be waving the home players back on to the pitch. | From what the TV cameras are showing, many of the fans have left the stadium. But apparently not the one causing trouble, judging by the way the Ghanaian fans who were attacked are still huddling behind the goal at one hand, clearly not prepared to return to where they had been. A helicopter is still hovering over the pitch, though stewards seem to be waving the home players back on to the pitch. |
| 8.59pm GMT | 8.59pm GMT |
| 20:59 | 20:59 |
| Most of the Equatoguinean squad are on the running track around the pitch at the end of the ground where the trouble is, pleading with fans to calm down. | Most of the Equatoguinean squad are on the running track around the pitch at the end of the ground where the trouble is, pleading with fans to calm down. |
| 8.58pm GMT | 8.58pm GMT |
| 20:58 | 20:58 |
| Ugly scenes here. The question is how are the Ghana fans going to leave the stadium tonight. The world is watching... pic.twitter.com/WZizIVGjW8 | Ugly scenes here. The question is how are the Ghana fans going to leave the stadium tonight. The world is watching... pic.twitter.com/WZizIVGjW8 |
| 8.57pm GMT | 8.57pm GMT |
| 20:57 | 20:57 |
| There is a kerfuffle on the pitch now as several Equatoguinean players surround a couple of CAF officials in much the same way that they kept surrounding the ref earlier on. They are evidently unhappy about a decision, which suggests the organisers may have resolved to abandon the game. But maybe not. Nothing is clear at the moment. | There is a kerfuffle on the pitch now as several Equatoguinean players surround a couple of CAF officials in much the same way that they kept surrounding the ref earlier on. They are evidently unhappy about a decision, which suggests the organisers may have resolved to abandon the game. But maybe not. Nothing is clear at the moment. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 9.34pm GMT | at 9.34pm GMT |
| 8.54pm GMT | 8.54pm GMT |
| 20:54 | 20:54 |
| Now a helicopter has flown RIGHT ABOVE the fans behind the goal, scattering them with its draught. | Now a helicopter has flown RIGHT ABOVE the fans behind the goal, scattering them with its draught. |
| 8.53pm GMT | 8.53pm GMT |
| 20:53 | 20:53 |
| The cameras still are not showing anything other than the players and officials standing and hoping. But there are sounds of helicopters in the sky, which suggests a significant security is under way operation to restore order. The fault for this lies, of course, with the people throwing stuff and perpetrating whatever other sort of mayhem we are not being shown. But the Equatorial Guinea players cannot claim to have shown a good example of sportsmanship, having fouled, acted and bickered ever since it became clear they were not good enough to win the match. It’s a real pity how this is ending. | The cameras still are not showing anything other than the players and officials standing and hoping. But there are sounds of helicopters in the sky, which suggests a significant security is under way operation to restore order. The fault for this lies, of course, with the people throwing stuff and perpetrating whatever other sort of mayhem we are not being shown. But the Equatorial Guinea players cannot claim to have shown a good example of sportsmanship, having fouled, acted and bickered ever since it became clear they were not good enough to win the match. It’s a real pity how this is ending. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 9.28pm GMT | at 9.28pm GMT |
| 8.49pm GMT | 8.49pm GMT |
| 20:49 | 20:49 |
| Players and officials are still standing on the pitch. They are obviously hoping they can play out the remaining six minutes or so but it is hard to know how likely that is, as the cameras are not showing what is going on at the end of the stadium where the trouble seemed to be. | Players and officials are still standing on the pitch. They are obviously hoping they can play out the remaining six minutes or so but it is hard to know how likely that is, as the cameras are not showing what is going on at the end of the stadium where the trouble seemed to be. |
| 8.48pm GMT | 8.48pm GMT |
| 20:48 | 20:48 |
| Game stopped with Ghanaian fans trapped by side of pitch. A fan runs on, approaches ref and is knocked to ground by stewards. | Game stopped with Ghanaian fans trapped by side of pitch. A fan runs on, approaches ref and is knocked to ground by stewards. |
| 8.47pm GMT | 8.47pm GMT |
| 20:47 | 20:47 |
| Announcement threatening abandonment if bottle-throwing continues. More bottles thrown immediately. | Announcement threatening abandonment if bottle-throwing continues. More bottles thrown immediately. |
| 8.45pm GMT | 8.45pm GMT |
| 20:45 | 20:45 |
| 84 min: Oh dear. This is what we feared: the referee has picked up the ball and asked the police to restore order as fans spill on to the edge of one end of the pitch. There are suggestions that they are Ghanaian fans seeking safety after being bombarded by bottles and other objects, but the situation is not at all clear. | 84 min: Oh dear. This is what we feared: the referee has picked up the ball and asked the police to restore order as fans spill on to the edge of one end of the pitch. There are suggestions that they are Ghanaian fans seeking safety after being bombarded by bottles and other objects, but the situation is not at all clear. |
| 8.42pm GMT | 8.42pm GMT |
| 20:42 | 20:42 |
| 82 min: Acheampong ducks to avoid some hurled object as he waits on the sideline before coming on in place of Andre Ayew. | 82 min: Acheampong ducks to avoid some hurled object as he waits on the sideline before coming on in place of Andre Ayew. |
| 8.42pm GMT | 8.42pm GMT |
| 20:42 | 20:42 |
| 80 min: After the ball breaks loose at the edge of the Ghanaian box, Doualla attempts a reprise of Yaya Touré stonking goal for Ivory Coast last night. But it’s poor cover version, ballooning into the stand. | 80 min: After the ball breaks loose at the edge of the Ghanaian box, Doualla attempts a reprise of Yaya Touré stonking goal for Ivory Coast last night. But it’s poor cover version, ballooning into the stand. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 8.43pm GMT | at 8.43pm GMT |
| 8.39pm GMT | 8.39pm GMT |
| 20:39 | 20:39 |
| 78 min: There have been five yellow cards so far and that is because the ref has been quite lenient: Mbele, for instance, could have had at least a couple by now, including for a brutal lunge at Appiah just now. Ghana players will have to keep their wits about them to avoid injury here if their hosts’ mood darkens... | 78 min: There have been five yellow cards so far and that is because the ref has been quite lenient: Mbele, for instance, could have had at least a couple by now, including for a brutal lunge at Appiah just now. Ghana players will have to keep their wits about them to avoid injury here if their hosts’ mood darkens... |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 8.46pm GMT | at 8.46pm GMT |
| 8.36pm GMT | 8.36pm GMT |
| 20:36 | 20:36 |
| GOAL! Equatorial Guinea 0-3 Ghana (Andre Ayew 75) | GOAL! Equatorial Guinea 0-3 Ghana (Andre Ayew 75) |
| Another fine goal, Ghana expertly taking advantage of their hosts’ disintegration. Ovono stalled an attack with charge from his goal but Appiah regathered the ball and picked out Ayew in the middle, leaving the Marseille man with the easy task of stroking it into the net from five yards. | Another fine goal, Ghana expertly taking advantage of their hosts’ disintegration. Ovono stalled an attack with charge from his goal but Appiah regathered the ball and picked out Ayew in the middle, leaving the Marseille man with the easy task of stroking it into the net from five yards. |
| 8.32pm GMT | 8.32pm GMT |
| 20:32 | 20:32 |
| 70 min: Freekick to Ghana wide on the left after Kike tugs back Appiah. A bottle is chucked from the crowd at Wakaso as he tries to take it. Eventually the debris is cleared from the pitch and he sends a weak delivery to the first defender. | 70 min: Freekick to Ghana wide on the left after Kike tugs back Appiah. A bottle is chucked from the crowd at Wakaso as he tries to take it. Eventually the debris is cleared from the pitch and he sends a weak delivery to the first defender. |
| 8.30pm GMT | 8.30pm GMT |
| 20:30 | 20:30 |
| 68 min: It is not clear which Equatorial Guinea are pursuing more eagerly: a goal, or a red card for Ghana? Cringe-worthy acting from them now almost every time there is physical contact. | 68 min: It is not clear which Equatorial Guinea are pursuing more eagerly: a goal, or a red card for Ghana? Cringe-worthy acting from them now almost every time there is physical contact. |
| 8.27pm GMT | 8.27pm GMT |
| 20:27 | 20:27 |
| 66 min: Andre Ayew booked for a mistimed but entirely well-intentioned tackle on Kike, who goes rolling as if pushed down a hill. | 66 min: Andre Ayew booked for a mistimed but entirely well-intentioned tackle on Kike, who goes rolling as if pushed down a hill. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 8.27pm GMT | at 8.27pm GMT |
| 8.24pm GMT | 8.24pm GMT |
| 20:24 | 20:24 |
| 63 min: Lovely exchange between Jordan Ayew and Atsu, before Mbele makes a critical interception to deprive Appiah of the opportunity to tap into the net from close range. | 63 min: Lovely exchange between Jordan Ayew and Atsu, before Mbele makes a critical interception to deprive Appiah of the opportunity to tap into the net from close range. |
| 8.23pm GMT | 8.23pm GMT |
| 20:23 | 20:23 |
| 62 min: Rahmann joins in a Ghana attack and picks out Jordan Ayew with a good low ball from the left. But Ayew mis-controls and gives Equatorial Guinea a chance to romp forward in that helter-skelter way of theirs. | 62 min: Rahmann joins in a Ghana attack and picks out Jordan Ayew with a good low ball from the left. But Ayew mis-controls and gives Equatorial Guinea a chance to romp forward in that helter-skelter way of theirs. |