By Petit Samuel,

Giant killers Equatorial Guinea aim to slay Ghana in a tough semifinal encounter

Looks to be a bit of a one sided tie coming up, with Equatorial Guinea the clear underdog to progress against heavily fancied four time champions Ghana. Naturally fans of the Black Stars are supremely confident as you would expect and of course it would be a major surprise if they didn’t triumph.

Even the most optimistic of local football fans would not predict that the Nzalang Nacional would make it to the penultimate stage of this year’s Africa Cup of Nations. Confidence, determination and lackluster officiating has characterized their dazzling upsurge that has seen them qualify for the semifinal in only their second appearance at an Afcon final.

Interestingly, this will be the first match that the hosts will play at the Nuevo Estadio de Malabo after playing all their matches in Bata and the home crowd is expected to rally behind their team.

Javier Balboa has been the star player for the tournament’s dark horses but the input of skipper Emilio Insue in attack, the resilience of Ovono in goal as well as the massive work rate of midfield dynamo Randy will be highly relied upon yet again going into this tie. Head coach Esteban Becker has described the performance of his charges as a ‘miracle’ and he will hope to extend his unbeaten run with a final berth at sight.

Pressure will be on his opposite number as he looks to end a 33 year wait for the title in the process attempt to etch his name on Ghana’s football history books as the first foreign coach to deliver the Afcon trophy home.

Avram Grant will need to prepare his charges well for their next assignment which will mark their fifth consecutive semifinal appearance. Understanding the opposition will surely be the focus of the team’s tactics in attempt to book a place in the final they last featured in 2010.

With his captain Asamoah Gyan doubtful after limping out in the closing stages of the quarter finals, he is expected to recall Jordan Ayew to lead the goal hunt alongside Kwesi Appiah and Christian Atsu.

But every so often a David can slay a Goliath and in getting this far the hosts have claimed significant scalps. Every neutral will be hoping that the Nzalang Nacional will get their noses in front and probably hang on for one of their most memorable victories in the tournament’s history.

Slickrambo