Sunday 2 February 2014

EXCLUSIVE: Why Ghana lost CHAN trophy to Libya

THE Black Stars of Ghana may have lost to the Mediterranean Knights of Libya in Saturday's final of the third African Nations Championship (CHAN) played at the Cape Town Stadium, South Africa to Ghana/Nigeria jinx.
Reason: Checks by harmonysport.blogspot.com reveals that Ghana have been battling with jinx of losing in the final in the last two decades any time they defeated Nigeria in a tournament.
The jinx started at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Senegal '92 when Ghana defeated Nigeria
2-1 in the semi-final only to lose to the Elephants of Cote d'Ivoire in the final of the competition 10-11 via penalties.
At the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) hosted by Ghana in 2008, the Black Stars defeated the Super Eagles 2-1 in the quarter-final only to lose in the semi-final to Cameroon by a lone goal.
At Angola 2010 AFCON, Ghana equally defeated a star-studded Nigeria 1-0 in the semi-final only to lose to Egypt in the final by a lone goal.
Thus, the episode in Cape Town last Saturday confirmed the Ghana/Nigeria jinx as the Libyans were least expected to emerge champions of Africa by pundits.
Interestingly, the prayer of Libya to avenge the AFCON ' 82 loss to Ghana after 33 years was granted at the CHAN 2014 final which made the victory of the North Africans indelible.
Ghana had defeated Libya before their teeming fans in Tripoli 7-6 via penalties to win the Nations Cup in 1982 after both sides had settled for a 1-1 draw in the group stage; while the same scenario played itself out in South Africa as Libya had earlier in group C held Ghana to a draw before losing via penalties, 4-3 in the final.
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Caption: Line up of Ghana's Black Stars.



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