Libya will be making their first ever CAF African Nations Championship semifinal appearance after defeating Gabon 4-2 0n penalties at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Sunday after the match finished 1-1.
The first 45 minutes was a rather timid affair in attack as both teams kept it tight at the back. Consequently, chances on goal were few and far between.
Gabon started the brighter of the two teams and created the first chance of the game in the second minute after Romuald Ewouta Ntsitsigui made his way down the left flank before cutting inside and seeing his powerful shot from just outside the box well-saved.
Gabon were at it again in the 14th minute and a little unlucky not
to take the lead as Samson Mbingui struck the crossbar with a 22-yard
free-kick.
A minute later and Libya were gifted a glorious chance to open the scoring after a mistake in the Gabon defence allowed Almoatasembellah Ali Mohamed through on goal, but with just the keeper to beat the Libyan attacker fired inches wide from 16-yards out.
The next chance on goal came in the 24th minute as Libya’s Abdelrahman Fetori curled a 24-yard free-kick narrowly wide.
The rest of the half saw both teams squandering possession as neither could hold onto the ball long enough to sustain a period of pressure that would create a chance on goal.
The half ended 0-0.
The start of the second 45 saw Gabon with the lion’s share of possession in front of the Libyan goal, but it was at the other end of the park where we saw the game’s opening goal.
In the 50th minute, very much against the run of play, a swift counter-attack by Libya saw Abdelsalam Omar through on goal and he showed composure under pressure as he lobbed the on-rushing goalkeeper from just outside the box, 1-0.
Gabon tried to fight their way back into the match, but could not create any decent openings in front of goal as Libya’s defence held firm for the large part.
Finally, in the 72nd minute Gabon were rewarded for their pressure when Fetori pulled Lionel Yackouya down inside the box and the referee pointed to the penalty spot.
Daniel Cousin then restored parity for Gabon with a cool finish, 1-1.
In the 78th minute Samson Mbingui come close to giving Gabon the lead, but he saw his powerfully struck shot from 24-yards out brilliantly saved by the Libyan goalkeeper, diving low and to his left to make the stop.
Eight minutes later and the Libyan keeper was called into action again, this time denying Cousin from point blank range after the Gabon striker met a cross from the right with a strong header.
Neither team could find the winner as the match ended 1-1 and moved into 30 minutes of extra-time.
Libya were bitterly unlucky not to take the lead in extra time after a thunderous 24-yard shot from Mohamed Ghanudi struck the underside of the crossbar and bounced away from danger in the 102nd minute.
Five minutes later, form the acutest of angles on the right, Fetori fired an 18-yard volley goalwards, but he was thwarted by an acrobatic save from the keeper.
Still, neither side could break the deadlock as the game finished 1-1 after 120 minutes of action and moved into the lottery of the penalty shoot-out.
Libya were perfect in the shootout and did not miss a spot-kick as they ran out 4-2 winners on penalties.
A minute later and Libya were gifted a glorious chance to open the scoring after a mistake in the Gabon defence allowed Almoatasembellah Ali Mohamed through on goal, but with just the keeper to beat the Libyan attacker fired inches wide from 16-yards out.
The next chance on goal came in the 24th minute as Libya’s Abdelrahman Fetori curled a 24-yard free-kick narrowly wide.
The rest of the half saw both teams squandering possession as neither could hold onto the ball long enough to sustain a period of pressure that would create a chance on goal.
The half ended 0-0.
The start of the second 45 saw Gabon with the lion’s share of possession in front of the Libyan goal, but it was at the other end of the park where we saw the game’s opening goal.
In the 50th minute, very much against the run of play, a swift counter-attack by Libya saw Abdelsalam Omar through on goal and he showed composure under pressure as he lobbed the on-rushing goalkeeper from just outside the box, 1-0.
Gabon tried to fight their way back into the match, but could not create any decent openings in front of goal as Libya’s defence held firm for the large part.
Finally, in the 72nd minute Gabon were rewarded for their pressure when Fetori pulled Lionel Yackouya down inside the box and the referee pointed to the penalty spot.
Daniel Cousin then restored parity for Gabon with a cool finish, 1-1.
In the 78th minute Samson Mbingui come close to giving Gabon the lead, but he saw his powerfully struck shot from 24-yards out brilliantly saved by the Libyan goalkeeper, diving low and to his left to make the stop.
Eight minutes later and the Libyan keeper was called into action again, this time denying Cousin from point blank range after the Gabon striker met a cross from the right with a strong header.
Neither team could find the winner as the match ended 1-1 and moved into 30 minutes of extra-time.
Libya were bitterly unlucky not to take the lead in extra time after a thunderous 24-yard shot from Mohamed Ghanudi struck the underside of the crossbar and bounced away from danger in the 102nd minute.
Five minutes later, form the acutest of angles on the right, Fetori fired an 18-yard volley goalwards, but he was thwarted by an acrobatic save from the keeper.
Still, neither side could break the deadlock as the game finished 1-1 after 120 minutes of action and moved into the lottery of the penalty shoot-out.
Libya were perfect in the shootout and did not miss a spot-kick as they ran out 4-2 winners on penalties.
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