Malawi revel in Zambia win to reach final
Malawians on Wednesday night celebrated when neighbouring Zambia’s Chipolopolo booked their place in the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations Cup finals for the first time since 1994.
Zambia defeated Ghana 1-0 as Emmanuel Mayuka scored in the 78th minute in Equatorial Guinea.
There were jubilant scenes at drinking joints Pa Kamba in Malawi’s commercial city, Blantyre, and Bwandilo in the capital city Lilongwe as soccer fans feasted on Zambia’s win.
Malawians on social networking sites also expressed their delight with Zambia’s famous victory.
Many Malawians saluted Chipolopolo for “making history”.
Ghana could have gone ahead in the eighth minute, but Asamoah Gyan’s penalty kick was saved by goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene.
Substitute Mayuka, the only member of the Zambian squad playing for a European first division club, scored out of the blue with a shot on the turn on 78 minutes.
Malawi were not part of the continent’s biggest football showpiece having missed out at the very last minute when they were held to a 2-2 draw by Chad.
Zambia will play Mali or Ivory Coast in Sunday’s final.
