AFCON 2015: Ghana’s Frank Acheampong Reflects on Final Berth and Chaos in Malabo
By BBC Sport Africa
Ghana’s Frank Acheampong has expressed both pride and frustration following his side’s dramatic qualification for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations final. The Black Stars sealed their place in Sunday’s showpiece with a convincing 3-0 victory over hosts Equatorial Guinea—but the semi-final in Malabo was overshadowed by serious crowd trouble that halted play for more than 30 minutes.
Speaking to the official website of his club, Belgian side RSC Anderlecht, Acheampong described the chaotic scenes that unfolded after Ghana took control of the match.
“A Bad Memory Despite a Fantastic Moment”
“Here we are in the final of the CAN! It’s fantastic for my first participation,” Acheampong said. “On the other hand, this semi-final against Equatorial Guinea will remain a bad memory.”
Ghana dominated from start to finish, with goals from Jordan Ayew, Mubarak Wakaso, and André Ayew securing a comfortable win. However, tensions escalated as the home crowd reacted violently to their team’s impending defeat. Missiles were thrown at Ghanaian players and fans, forcing security personnel to evacuate supporters and eventually halt the match.
“It Was Chaos”
“As soon as they felt the game slipping away, the fans started throwing objects at us. Our return to the dressing room at half-time was very complicated,” Acheampong explained. “After the break, they attacked our supporters, who had to seek safety on the pitch. I had just stepped onto the pitch when the match was interrupted. A helicopter had to fly over the stadium to help calm things down.”
Despite the unrest and a surreal atmosphere, Ghana kept their focus and saw the match through once it resumed.
Eyes on the Final: Ghana vs Côte d’Ivoire
With the victory, Ghana booked a place in the final against Côte d’Ivoire—a repeat of the unforgettable 1992 AFCON final, which the Ivorians won after an epic 11-10 penalty shootout. For Acheampong and his teammates, the chance to reclaim continental glory is now within reach.
“The objective has been achieved with this qualification,” he said. “We are one step away from the title, and we do not want to let this opportunity slip away.”
A Final for the Ages
Neither Ghana nor Côte d’Ivoire were considered pre-tournament favourites, but both have grown in confidence and consistency throughout the competition. Sunday’s final in Bata promises to be a high-stakes clash between two of Africa’s most storied footballing nations.
