<<Print>>

Ghana�s Black Stars have arrived in Bata, the economic capital of Equatorial Guinea ahead of their semi final clash against the Chipolopolos of Zambia on Wednesday in the on-going Africa Cup of Nations tournament. The delegation headed by Minister of Youth and Sports, Clement Kofi Humado arrived on Monday afternoon and were met on arrival at the Bata International Airport by Ghana�s Ambassador to Equatorial Guinea, William Ntow Boahene. There were also scores of Ghanaian residents living in the coastal city at the airport to catch glimpse of the players and offer support as well. The reception was no-where near rousing as the delegation was transported to their hotel moments later. As part of their schedule, the team is expected to hold a training session at the match venue, the plush Estadio de Bata on Tuesday evening. Meanwhile, GNA Sports gathers that a delegation of supporters and journalists are also expected in Bata on Tuesday and early Wednesday. The Stars will face the Chipolopolos on Wednesday for a place at the final of the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations whilst Cote D'Voire face Mali in the semis. ****** Ghana And Zambia In Fourth Meeting Ghana and Zambia will be involved in the fourth meeting between the two sides at the Africa Cup of Nations, when the two sides face-off in Wednesday�s semi final encounter. Information gathered by GNA Sports indicates that the Stars have emerged victors twice on the three previous meetings between the two sides with the other going the way of the Zambians. The first ever meeting between the two sides at the finals of the flagship African football tournament was during the 1978 edition hosted in Ghana. The duo clashed in the opening match of the tournament with the Black Stars coming from behind to win 2-1. The Chipolopolos took the lead on eight minutes through Obby Kapita before Opoku Afriyie cancelled the lead on 21 minutes. Abdul �Golden Boy� Razak netted the winner on 55 minutes as the Black Stars went on to win the title for the third time. On January 15, 1992, the two teams will face-off again for the second time at the group phase. Ghana won the tie 1-0 with Abedi Pele Ayew scoring the only goal of the match. Four years later, the Black Stars lost by a lone to the Zambians in the third-place match at the South Africa 1996 Africa Cup of Nations. Striker Johnson Bwalya scored the only goal to aid Zambia pick the bronze. At stake on Wednesday is a place at the grand finale scheduled for February 12 at the Stade de l�amitie in Libreville, Gabon and it is the prayer of all Ghanaians that they Stars will put a vintage performance to annex the ultimate trophy which has eluded the nation for decades.