THE DAY REPLAYED –Cameroon are through to the CAF Africa Cup of Nations final after their youthful side got the better of experienced opponents Ghana, scoring twice in the last 20 minutes to once again shatter the hopes of the Black Stars' golden generation. Through to the final for the seventh time, the Indomitable Lions will now take on Egypt for the trophy, when they will be out to avenge their loss to the Pharaohs in the 2008 decider.
FIFA.com reviews all the action from today's last-four showdown.
The day's result
Cameroon 2-0 Ghana
It did not take long for Cameroon to seize the upper hand in the early stages. Lively and adventurous, they nearly took the lead after just eight minutes through Adolphe Teikeu's powerful header, before Robert Ndip Tambe twice forced saves from Brimah Razak. The Ghana goalkeeper proved equal to both efforts, stopping Tambe's thunderous volley on 12 minutes and keeping out his diving header nine minutes later.
At the other end, the Black Stars were unable to settle into any sort of rhythm. Denied space by their well-organised opponents, they failed to make any serious inroads until four minutes before half-time, when Jordan Ayew pulled his shot wide following a superb run on goal.
Instead, it was Michael Ngadeu-Ngadjui who eventually broke the deadlock 18 minutes from time, collecting Benjamin Moukandjo's free-kick at the far post and blasting high into the net. The lead was almost wiped out moments later when Jordan Ayew missed an excellent chance, but Christian Bassogog made no such mistake three minutes into added time. Scoring on the counter-attack, he put the result beyond doubt to secure Cameroon's final spot – nine years after their previous appearance.
Key moment of the day
Few expected to see Asamoah Gyan feature again at this Africa Cup of Nations after being ruled out of the quarter-finals with a thigh injury. Ghana's regular captain and all-time leading scorer began this match on the bench, but he was called into action after Cameroon went ahead and set about chasing his 50th international strike. It was not to be.
The stat 35 – This was Ghana's sixth consecutive appearance in the semi-finals, but the torment continues for the 2015 runners-up as they look to end their 35-year wait for the title they last won in 1982.
The words
"I've always had faith in my squad. What they've done is exceptional. I've been coaching for 29 years and I've never had a squad like this before. I keep telling them every day that they have something they need to cherish – and that's friendship. They're genuine friends, and you don't often get that in a football team." Cameroon coach Hugo Broos
Next matchday
*Play-off for third place
*Burkina Faso-Ghana (Saturday 4 February, 20.00 local time)
*Final
*Egypt-Cameroon (Sunday 5 February, 20.00 local time)
The winners of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations Gabon 2017 will represent the continent at the FIFA Confederations Cup Russia 2017.