Equatorial Guinea’s Africa Cup of Nations dream came to a disappointing end amid more shameful scenes in Malabo on Thursday night.
The hosts have lit up this tournament, performing footballing miracles, backed by enthusiastic support. But as they exited at the semi-final stage, those same fans showed an uglier fans, throwing bottles at Ghana’s players, staff and fans and eventually causing the game to be stopped for more than half an hour.
With eight minutes left and the Ghana fans being pelted with bottles from both sides, the game was stopped for them to be escorted from the stadium, amid fears for their safety.
But with no safe path away from fans determined to cause trouble, referee Eric Castane was left with no choice but to temporarily halt the game. Despite the use of a police helicopter to try and restore order, it took more than half an hour to restart, with the stadium almost empty.
The final few minutes were played out at the pace of an exhibition, and with the atmosphere of particularly grim funeral.
It was a farcical end to a shameful spectacle that will overshadow an otherwise excellent tournament.
On the pitch, Ghana came out of the game with plenty of credit. Avram Grant’s side have grown into this tournament after a slow start, and kept their calm, and concentration to reach the final. On this showing, they will provide Ivory Coast with a stern test in Bata.
Jordan Ayew put the Black Stars ahead from the penalty spot after Felipe Ovono had fouled Crystal Palace’s Kwesi Appiah.
Then just four minutes later, with the home side throwing everyone forward at a corner, Everton’s Chelsea loanee Christian Atsu led a quick break, before feeing Celtic’s Wakaso Mubarak, who cut inside and fired home.
It was too much for the supporters, who reacted not only with boos, but also with water bottles.
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