Zambia is through to the final of the African Cup of Nations for the first time in 18 years after beating Ghana 1-0 on Wednesday from Emmanuel Mayuka's late goal. The second-half substitute scored in the 78th minute to punish Ghana for missing an early penalty. Striker Asamoah Gyan's eighth-minute spot kick was saved by goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene.

Zambia coach Herve Renard says it was "written" that his team would reach the final of the African Cup of Nations in Libreville. The Gabonese capital was the site of the country's worst sporting disaster in 1993, when the plane carrying Zambia's national team crashed just minutes after taking off, killing 25 players and officials.

Zambia captain Christopher Katongo thinks the team's impressive march to the semifinals of the African Cup of Nations is "payback time" for a six-year development plan. African football is notorious for short-term thinking, with foreign coaches often handed temporary contracts at the last minute before big tournaments and players falling in and out of favor.

Ghana will have to overcome a grueling extra-time win to beat tricky opponent Zambia in the African Cup of Nations semifinals on Wednesday. Bidding for its second straight final, Ghana needed a goal from Andre Ayew after a goalkeeping error in the 101st minute to beat Tunisia 2-1 in Sunday's quarterfinals.

Ivory Coast sealed a semifinal place in the African Cup of Nations with a 3-0 victory against co-host Equatorial Guinea on Saturday. After missing a penalty, captain Didier Drogba took advantage of a defensive slip to score in the 36th minute and headed into the top corner in the 69th. Yaya Toure added a late third with an 81st-minute free kick.