AFCON 2015: Ghana’s André Ayew Condemns Hostile Crowd Scenes in Semi-Final Win Over Equatorial Guinea
By BBC Sport Africa
The second semi-final of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations between Ghana and host nation Equatorial Guinea will be remembered as much for the chaos in the stands as for the football played on the pitch.
Ghana’s 3-0 victory on Thursday evening in Malabo secured their place in Sunday’s final against Côte d’Ivoire, but the game descended into turmoil after crowd violence forced a suspension of play late in the second half.
Tensions flared at half-time when Equatorial Guinean supporters began hurling bottles and projectiles toward Ghanaian players. The situation worsened dramatically in the final minutes, leading to the evacuation of sections of the stadium and intervention by riot police.
“Disappointed and Upset” – Ayew Speaks Out
Ghana captain André Ayew, who scored the third goal in the victory and played a crucial leadership role throughout the tournament, expressed deep disappointment with the events that marred the evening.
“Guinea did the right thing by accepting to host this tournament. Their players performed well, and it’s true they lost today. But the behaviour of the fans was disappointing,” Ayew said following the match. “I’m disappointed, I’m upset.”
Ayew’s comments reflect the broader frustration felt across the footballing world, with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) now expected to take disciplinary action against Equatorial Guinea for failing to control the crowd during such a high-profile encounter.
Match Overshadowed by Violence
Ghana had taken control of the match with goals from Jordan Ayew (penalty), Mubarak Wakaso, and André Ayew. But the final stages were overshadowed by hostile scenes, including missiles being thrown and spectators storming the edge of the pitch. The Black Stars were temporarily withdrawn for their safety.
While security eventually restored enough order to allow the match to conclude, the chaotic scenes have cast a shadow over what should have been a celebration of Ghana’s return to the AFCON final.
Looking Ahead
Despite the off-field drama, Ghana now turns its attention to Sunday’s final against Côte d’Ivoire—a rematch of the iconic 1992 final. With tensions still high and emotions raw, the Black Stars will need to refocus quickly as they pursue their first African title in over three decades.
CAF’s handling of the disciplinary fallout will also be closely watched in the coming days, as the integrity and safety of the tournament come under scrutiny.
