Goalkeeper blunder gifts Ghana place in semifinals

By Gerald Imray

Associated Press

Published: Sunday, Feb. 5 2012 2:40 p.m. MST

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Ghana's players react after a goal from Tunisia's Saber Khelifa, second from right, during their African Cup of Nations quarter final soccer match at the Stade de Franceville in Franceville, Gabon, Sunday Feb. 5, 2012.

Themba Hadebe, Associated Press

Summary

Ghana advanced to the African Cup of Nations semifinals by beating Tunisia 2-1 on Sunday following goalkeeper Aymen Mathlouthi's dreadful mistake in extra time.

FRANCEVILLE, Gabon — Ghana advanced to the African Cup of Nations semifinals by beating Tunisia 2-1 on Sunday following goalkeeper Aymen Mathlouthi's dreadful mistake in extra time.

Mathlouthi dropped a seemingly harmless cross to allow Andre Ayew to poke home the winner in the 101st minute and see Ghana through a tense quarterfinal and into a last-four meeting with Zambia.

Recalled Ghana captain John Mensah headed his team in front in the 10th minute at Stade de Franceville, but Saber Khalifa put Tunisia level in the 42nd with a header after a cross by Zouhaier Dhaouadi.

Tunisia defender Aymen Abdennour was sent off late on for an elbow on Ayew in a bad-tempered finish.

Ivory Coast will play Mali in the other semifinal.

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