Ghana delighted to win Tunisia 'war'

Ghana assistant coach Kwesi Appiah said Tunisia turned Sunday’s Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinal into "a war" with their tackles and bad behaviour, which cost them a man in extra time.

“This wasn’t the best for African football,” said Appiah after his team defeated the Carthage Eagles 2-1 after extra time to set up a semi-final clash against Zambia in Bata on Wednesday.

“Their tackles and behaviour need to be looked at very well by the authorities.”

Toulouse defender Aymen Abdennour was sent off for a needless elbow on match winner Andre Ayew in the 108th minute as the North Africans lost their heads and showed great ill discipline.

Tunisia stretched the pre-tournament favourites to extra time after scores stood at 1-1 after 90 minutes, before a clanger by the otherwise impressive goalkeeper Aymen Mathlouthi gifted Andre Ayew an extra time winner.

“We played a tactical game to ensure we held Tunisia and also launched counter attacks,” said Appiah.

“We were not surprised that the game dragged into extra time because Tunisia have a very good team.

“However, the important thing is that we have qualified for the semi-finals.”

Tunisia coach Sami Trabelsi admitted his players lost their nerves when they still had enough time to change the course of this game.

“We did not deserve to lose this football game, we dominated the game but we could not score more than a goal,” said Trabelsi.

“We deserved to go farther in this competition.

“But I must also admit that my players did not have to lose their heads and be temperamental by the first half of extra time when we still had another 15 minutes to play.

“That is my only reproach to this team.”

Ghana take on Zambia Wednesday to set the tone for what promises to be a keen battle between the two countries on the road to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Ghana, Zambia and Sudan, who also reached the last eight of this Nations Cup, are all drawn in the same qualifying pool for the World Cup, which begins in June.