Ivory Coast 5-0 Guinea

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By Chris Whyatt

2235: Just one more thing. My NFL-obsessed colleague Martin Gough is steering the good ship Superbowl XXLI right now. All the glitz and glamour in Arizona - not to mention some bone-crunching tackles - will be captured through his misty eyes right here. Make sure you join him via the link below.

2225: Technical glitches are impeding our e-coverage right now - sorry about that - so I'm going to sign off.

It's been a bloomin' pleasure to interact with you all today - top chat on 606 and the texts - so let's have more of the same tomorrow when Egypt take on Angola and Tunisia and Cameroon do battle. Same time, same place. Ciao.

2222: FULL-TIME IVORY COAST 5-0 GUINEA
Ivory Coast have justified their favourites tag with a crushing dismissal of Guinea as the game wore on. To give you a cricketing analogy, that was much like a struggling bowler hurling down a series of duds before finding a hot streak to claim a five-for.

Do they play cricket much in Ivory Coast? Dunno. But they can certainly play football.

2218: Egypt or Angola await the Elephants who will take trunk-loads of confidence from the way they have trampled all over Guinea in this second-half.

They continue to press forward against their shell-shocked opponents.

2215: GOAL IVORY COAST 5-0 GUINEA
Substitute Bakary Kone displays textbook technique by putting his knee right over the ball to hammer Kalou's lay-off, straight as an arrow, back where it came from and right past Camara. Whizzed past old Kem like a rocket and nearly uprooted the frame of the goals.

2210: GOAL IVORY COAST 4-0 GUINEA
When you dine at the top table sometimes your fingers get burnt. Or something like that. Yaya Toure steams past Guinea defenders - as static as Easter Island statues - to centre for Kalou who taps home intop an empty net. Easy for the Elephants.

2208: "When someone walked the ball over the line at our school, we would stop it, do as many stepovers as possible before spinning round and backheeling it in. I remember messing this up and not scoring. It would have been the winner too. I was in net afterwards."
cheese666 on 606

2201: GOAL IVORY COAST 3-0 GUINEA
Game. Set. Match. Drogba creates an opening for Saloman Kalou who rounds the hapless Camara to literally walk the ball over the line. When that happened at our school, we would stop the ball on the line to crouch down and nod the ball in with our heads. That'd be a bit cheeky in front of a TV audience of millions.

Devastating coup de grace from the Elephants. The semi-finals await.

2159: GOAL IVORY COAST 2-0 GUINEA
World-class goal from a world-class striker. Arthur Boka slides a pass in for Didier Drogba who, rampaging through the middle, sidesteps one defender and barges past another with brutal power to finish clinically. Tops it off with a puffed-chest Eric Cantona celebration.

2158: That question would have been rapidly redundant had Aruna Dindane not just missed an absolutely sitter.

2154: I like Guinea's spirit. I like it a lot. Shorn of their best player, they are having the better of possession and Ivory Coast are sleeping. Do Elephants hibernate? No, but they must have very heavy naps.

Can Guinea get back into this one people?

2150: Guinea go close as Daouda Jabi clatters a clever free-kick just wide of the upright. As he dived low to save, Boubacar Barry smashed his fine head into the post - but the man with the Wacky Races-esque name recovers quickly.

2144: Sensational stuff. No no, not on the pitch. In the stands.

The most exquisite trumpet solo I have heard since Ghana v Guinea drifts across the pitch as Abdelkader Keita clumps a poor cross-shot over the bar with Drogba and Dindane lurking dangerously in the box.

2142: Guinea forward Ismael Bangoura, who scored a Champions League belter for Dynamo Kiev against Manchester United in October, jinks around the box but his probings prove futile.

Bet he's loving the heat of Sekondi compared to those harsh Ukrainian winters.

2139: Drogba, looking a mile offside, forces a corner. Arthur Boka can't beat the first man and the Elephants disjointed display continues.

2136: "Kemoko Camara? He wouldn't mind coming down to Exeter, would he?"
Grecian94 on 606

We'll have a word with his agent squire.

2133: Back to Ivory Coast v Guinea - and the second half is underway in Sekondi.

Looking very smart in a natty black suit, suspended playmaker Pascal Feindouno has been hanging around the bowels of the stadium trying to gee up his Guinea team-mates.

2130: "I'm not very happy with the way Ghana are playing. They are not playing as a team. Individually they are making the difference - Michael Essien of course - but we need to play together more."
BBC Sport pundit Marcel Desailly

Hard man to please is our Marcel. Sunday Oliseh, in the BBC studio, is hugely disappointed with Nigeria and is fending off questions about whether he fancies a coaching/managerial role with the Super Eagles.

2120: HALF-TIME - IVORY COAST 1-0 GUINEA
Funny old first-half that one. Slow-burner might be the best description. Ivory Coast have not performed but the favourites lead. Guinea, warrior-like in defence, seem to lack a cutting edge.

"How apt, you could actually have fitted an elephant in that gap at the near post!"
James, from Warrington, on 606

2119: From the junction of the D, Elephants talisman Drogba curls a wicked shot right towards Guinea's top corner but Camara leaps like a salmon to save. Superb goalkeeping: anybody out there fancy old Kem for their club side?

2118: Pace and purpose from Guinea as Ismael Bangoura shows ballerina-like footwork to twinkle past Elephants defenders but his low shot is saved by Boubacar Barry.

Abdelkader Keita breaks free on the right and skims the ball just past Camara's upright. End-to-end-to-end-to-end stuff.

2116: Kemoko Camara - he of the goalkeeping error - had a trial with little-known(ish) Scottish side Greenock Morton earlier this season but is currently unattached. Anyone remember his howler against Mali in the 2004 ACON?

And just as I say that, he makes an outstanding double save from Aruna Dindane and Saloman Kalou after Didier Drogba exposed Guinea's defence. Good work Kem.

2110: High, wide, and not particularly handsome. Aruna Dindane bursts forward with gusto but blasts over from 25 yards. It's about two-thirds full, the Essipon stadium tonight in Sekondi, but the noise is admirable.

Can't get enough of those lusty trumpets.

2105: A limping Drogba's not a happy man as heavy tackles rain in on the Chelsea forward.

Apologies for my assertion that Kofi Annan was from Guinea. Genuine mistake: he's from Ghana (and no doubt bursting with pride tonight). Sorry.

2100: Bolt from the blue. That goal came from nowhere I tell you. Camara will wake up with cold sweats in the dead of the night if Guinea lose this 1-0.

But the athletic Keita did well and the way in which he span the ball off the outside of his right boot may have cleverly deceived Guinea's stopper.

2057: GOAL - IVORY COAST 1-0 GUINEA
Abdelkader Keita dispossesses two prone Guinea defenders out wide, cuts into the box, and slams the ball into the middle of the goal from the tightest of angles. Where was the goalkeeper I hear you cry? Stranded and half way to Accra. Grave error from Kemoko Camara.

2056: Unleash a little negative comment and, nine times out of ten, attacking zeal will follow...

2054: Still in his teens that boy, but Guinea midfielder Mohamed Sakho is making some crucial interceptions in and around his own penalty box. This is the one of the cagiest games I've seen at this year's tournament.

2050: Guinea are very effectively denying Ivory Coast any space. Kofi Annan, UN Secretary General from 1997-2007, would be proud of his Guinea compatriots.

2047: Ibrahima Camara whips in a low cross for Souleymane Youla but Aboudalaye Meite slides in to clear. A dangerous attack from the Syli Nationale.

2045: Pinball being played in Guinea's goalmouth as the Elephants force two quick corners. Couple of sighters for the Ivory Coast. Only met 12 times these countries, and that's mostly in friendlies, so they're just sizing each other up right now.

2042: The Elephants are keeping possession without threatening. If this were a boxing match, the referee would be urging the fighters to get on with it.

But this bout is being played in searing heat: sweat is pouring down the faces of most players. Arthur Boka overhits a throughball to frustrate Saloman Kalou.

2038: Ivory Coast, you'll notice, are brimful with stars. Emmanuel Eboue, Yaya Toure, Salomon Kalou, and Didier Drogba are clad in all-white but no Kolo Toure.

Guinea - in their traditional red and yellow - have two 19-year -old sin their midfield in the shape of Mamadou Dioulde Bah and Mohamed Sakho. Men against boys?

2035: Slow-paced start from both teams in stifling Sekondi heat. Guinea look like they will play the ball long and seek out Ismael Bangoura over the top.

2032: Emotional player huddles over, referee Djamel Haimoudi puts his whistle to his lips - and we're off in Sekondi's Essipon stadium.

2030: TEAM NEWS
Ivory Coast: 1-Boubacar Barry; 12-Aboudalaye Meite, 3-Arthur Boka, 5-Didier Zokora, 21-Emmanuel Eboue; 13-Christian Koffi Ndri, 19-Yaya Toure, 18-Abdelkader Keita; 8-Salomon Kalou, 15-Aruna Dindane, 11-Didier Drogba

Guinea: 16-Kemoko Camara; 23-Mamadou Dioulde Bah, 6-Kamil Zayatte, 3-Ibrahima Camara, 21-Daouda Jabi; 17-Mohamed Alimou Diallo, 18-Samuel Johnson, 13-Mohamed Sakho, 10-Ismael Bangoura; 7-Fode Mansare, 11-Souleymane Youla

2028: "Hard to see Guinea getting anything against a team with so many stars, but would be nice to have a Cinderella story; it's what makes this tournament so watchable. Bertie might want Tears of A Clown as the soundtrack, but I'd vote for 'True Colours' - very powerful lyrics."
hawick on 606

2020: Another massive game - simple as that.

Ivory Coast are red-hot favourites, especially, as Guinea will field a weakened team. Stand-in captain Bobo Balde is doubtful after a thigh injury and inspirational midfielder Pascal Feindouno, who usually captains the side, is suspended and misses the game.

2017: "GN-IV match is going to be a stunner..."
whyhey on 606

Oh aye, the football! Cheers whyhey - yup, tournament favourites Ivory Coast are taking on Guinea in Sekondi in under 15 minutes. Promises to be a belter.

And thanks to Rob in Stockport. I was of course reminiscing about the World Cup in Mexico in 1986.

2012: "Yes! Im just back from Cape town and theres a sticker album there. Didn't get it as i wont finish it just like the half dozen in my draw."
Paul, from Southport, on the text

2005: 2.) The legendary Junior Agogo listens to Marvin Gaye as he hauls his not inconsiderable frame out of bed in the morning. And, prior to games, he like a bit of "funky house" to get him in the goal-scoring mood.
Explore the link below if you don't believe me.

What would be your perfect Africa Cup of Nations 2008 soundtrack?

2000: 1.) Way back when, young kids (like myself) used to avidly trade football stickers in the playground like they were multi-billion dollar business deals.

I completed Panini's Mexico 86 save for England's Terry Fenwick and some random Danish player. So, has a sticker book been produced for the Africa Cup of Nations?

1957: Big thanks, of course, go to the ever-assidious Carra_XI for the Steve McClaren for Nigeria suggestion.

Right, time to throw a couple of swerveballs at you...

1948: Of course, for some people, like this Wolverhampton Wanderers fan, Nigeria's elimination from the Cup brings other benefits:

"By Nigeria crashing out, we get Big George Olofinjana back for our surge to somewhere in the table! Top or mid table who knows!"
ASWolves on 606

Meanwhile, another out-of-work manager with international experience has been suggested on 606 as a potential successor should Vogts leave Nigeria... Steve McClaren!

1943: Attention is beginning to turn towards the second of this evening's matches - Ivory Coast v Guinea. Don't forget, this game is live on BBC3 - coverage starts at 2000 GMT and the game kicks off at 2030 GMT.

It's been an impressive showing from the Ivorians so far, but can Guinea halt Drogba and his charging Elephants? Curiously, Guinea are the higher-placed team in the official rankings. Does this mean they have a shout at reaching the semi-finals? Or are the Caf rankings as unreliable as Fifa's rankings? Let us know what you think.

1936: Meanwhile, Nigeria's beleagured coach is beginning to come under the sort of pressure he suffered towards the end of his reign as Scotland boss:

"Berti Vogts, can you please close the door on your way out?"
tosyn92 on 606

1935: "Well it's obvious to me that Obi Mikel lost his eye on the pitch, once the groundskeeper has done his work, it will be returned by DHL to West London."
sirkofi on 606

1932: "Has anyone seen Claude Le Roy and Timothy Spall in the same room??"
Nobby on 606

1930: But what about these comments from Alhaji Issa Hayatou, President of the Confederation of Africa Football, on the eve of this year's tournament:

"Yes we can consider the odd years but the timing would never change from January to June because that would be the end to African football.

"I'm the CAF President but I don't have the final say, but there are some possibilities in the proposals and we would look at that at the right time".

1925: Zooming out from the Ghana's feisty victory over Nigeria, let's zoom in on the hottest topic coming into this tournament: its timing.

Every man and his dog within football's European power base - Premier League managers please stand up - insist the Africa Cup of Nations should be moved to June or July so their key players don't go missing in the middle of their club's season. And they have the backing of Fifa chief Sepp Blatter.

1915: Ivory Coast v Guinea kicks off in 75 minutes but - fear not - we're keeping the live text going right here. No shaking.

It would be positively rude not to, in fact, with so much drama, colour, and excitement to embrace. Is this the best-ever Africa Cup of Nations people? C'mon, let's talk.

1910: Pandemonium for anyone with a hint of Ghanaian blood. And well done indeed - the brave Black Stars deserved that.

Meanwhile, recriminations abound right across Nigeria and beyond... and the 606 messageboards and texts (+447786 202008) are awash with "Vogts out" emotion.

1900: "Congrats Ghana. With that type of force, I do not see any country in Africa capable of stopping you guys. Job well done."
mrbondishere on 606

Nice sentiment James. But what about Nigeria? The Super Eagles are shaken and rumours on Berti Vogts' future will be instantly stirred.

1854: FULL-TIME - GHANA 2-1 NIGERIA
Full of character and guts, the Black Stars have emerged winners. Semi-finals here they come.

Sleep will be a rare commodity on Accra tonight. The Ohene Djan erupts with joy which no doubt echoes throughout the proud West African nation.

1852: Last chance saloon. Deep into stoppage time, Yobo is unable to convert a chance amid a forest of bodies in the six-yard box and Ghana pump clear.

1848: Is Berti Vogts' job hanging by a thread? The Super Eagles look utterly spent as they float a series of lazy crosses into Ghana's box. What's Nigerian (or German) for 'dynamic'?

1846: Just prior to that goal, League One journeyman Agogo completely embarassed Premier League Joseph Yobo with a fine display of raw power. Agogo is having a Gazza-like tournament, if you think back to the impact the Geordie genius had on Italia 90.

1843: GOAL GHANA 2-1 NIGERIA
Eight minutes to go and the growing legend that is Junior Agogo plants Sulley Muntari's low cross into the roof of the net from about four yards out. Criminal defending from Nigeria's 11 men - Agogo was totally unmarked.

1840: Green bodies throw their legs, arms, heads - everything - between the ball and their goal as Ghana fire off a round of shots from in and around the penalty area.

Ghana good value for 10 men but their legs are weary.

1836: Rabbit-punch, gouge, or pure poke in the eye? Annan stabs his finger towards Jon Mikel Obi's left eye-ball. Crazy attack but, after a bit of commotion, the players crack on with it.

1833: Are Ghana playing for penalties? If so, they are doing well so far.

Hang on. Junior Agogo is a go-go, bustling down the left-hand side of the penalty are and nearly steering the ball back across for Laryea Kingson. Incisive run from the Prince of Nottinghamshire.

1830: "Mensah clearly isn't a member of Mensa."
dirkkuyt18 on 606

Exactly what I was thinking sir. The referee applied the letter of the law.

1827: With horns blaring and drums beating, the Black Stars crowd are trying to do their bit for their footballing heroes.

Poor Dickson Etuhu is being stretchered off one of those genius porta-hospitals.

1825: Upshot of Mensah's departure is a move south for Michael Essien. He seems to have dropped deeper into defence and his power in midfield will be sorely missed.

Up on deck, Ghana are valiantly trying to seal up the holes in a ship that's sinking. Calm down Chris, it's still 1-1.

1822: Didn't think it was possible, but the drama has intensified. Green waves of attacks are only punctured by a Ghana substitution: Hearts striker Laraya Kingson sprints on in place of the jaded Asamoah Gyan.

1820: RED CARD
Ghana captain John Mensah is sent off for a professional foul as he clubs the heels of Odemwingie as the Nigerian cuts into the penalty box.

Massive blow for the host nation. Only Black Stars left on the pitch as Nigeria shots reign in on Richard Kingson's goal.

1816: Tired mistakes could decide this match. You know the ones England players (aka Phil Neville et al) make when the pressure is on at big tournaments.

Asamoah Gyan, under so much pressure at this tournament that he has threatened to quit the team, lets the ball skip away from his feet when snappy control would have given him a shooting chance.

1814: Twisting and turning like Chubby Checker with ants in his pants, Odemwingie eludes tight Ghanaian marking but can only shoot weakly at goal. Nigeria appear to have woken up.

1811: "I'm looking forward to Ghana winning and the standard "All systems Agogo" headline tomorrow"
Notirishjason on 606

1807: Sensational. Kingson races out of his goal to head clear but Yakubu immediately lobs back from 45 yards only for the watchful Ghana stopper to sprint back and push the rapidly descending ball over from just under his bar.

1804: The stands around the Ohene Djan are a rolling sea of red, green and yellow. I swear the noise has not stopped thoughout the 15-minute break. The players now stream back onto the pitch to a cacophony of roars.

Second half underway. Game on.

1758: Housekeeping. The winners of this first quarter final will face either Cameroon or Tunisia back in Accra on Thursday.

Enlightening fact. Kanu, who is out injured today, has never scored in the Africa Cup of Nations. Five tournaments, 25 matches. But no goals. Mental.

1754: Essien has been spending "two or three hours a day sometimes" signing autographs for fans in Ghana this past week or so.

Reckon Chelsea will be worried. A severe case of RSI (repetitive strain injury) is just around the corner because Essienmania is going through the roof.

1747: GOAL - GHANA 1-1 NIGERIA
Or maybe not. From Quincy Owusu Abeyie's accurate cross, idol of the Ghanaian people Michael Essien guides a glancing header past Austin Ejide and into his goal off the upright.

Chaos erupts around Ohene Djan and Ghana take a richly deserved equaliser into the dressing rooms. The noise from Accra is immense.

1746: Three minutes of stoppage time from the fourth official. Ghana's dashing blond coach Claude LeRoy looks on anxiously as players crash into tackles in the congested midfield. He knows it's time to earn his crust with an inspirational team talk.

1743: Jon Mikel Obi has been anonymous for Nigeria. Laboured, man to man to be fair, sums up their showing so far. Yet they lead. That's sport folks.

"Ghana play all the good soccer...the eagles get to do all the scoring...curious, isn't it?"
supereaglesfan on 606

1741: Celta Vigo trickster Quincy Owusu Abeyie drags wide from just outside the box. When Ghana connect with one of these shots, methinks the net may ripple.

1739: How big are the Black Stars' hearts? Michael Essien shanks a 40-yard free-kick wide of goal. "Never going to score from there," is the collective cry in our captivated office.

1737: GOAL - GHANA 0-1 NIGERIA
Cool as a cucumber, Yak plants the ball in the far corner of the goal to put the Super Eagles ahead. Totally against the run of play. Sunday Night Fever is on.

1735: PENALTY TO NIGERIA Yakubu is brought down by Owusa and the Everton man steps up to take it himself...

1730: Just got a close-up of the grass at the Ohene Djan Stadium. It's lush, but not too long.... unlike in the opeining game.

1727: Hideously poor touch from Nottingham Forest striker Junior Agogo takes him away from goal when put clear of the Nigerian backline. Should have been one-on-one there. Still all Ghana.

1725: It's muggy, clammy, humid - call it what you will - down on the pitch in Accra. Don't forget, we may have extra time and penalties today. One team will crash out and the players energy will surely be sapped.

Asamoah Gyan crashes the ball against a Super Eagle upright. Good work from the under-pressure Ghana striker, though the Nigerian keeper bizarrely pulled his hands away from the shot.

1722: Wild left-footer from marauding full-back John Pantsil goes over the bar and bounces into a posse of cameramen.

1720: It's all Ghana. More than 140 million over in Nigeria may be watching this through small gaps in their fingers because the pressure is relentless. No clear-cut chances for the Black Stars yet though.

1717: Two corners in quick succession from Ghana, who are playing a 4-3-3, come to nothing. Watford bruiser Danny Shittu is working overtime. And so is the Algerian referee.

1714: "Am drooling.literally!"
Pacharo, MALAWI, on the text

Me too Pach. Can I call you Pach? This tournament is a revelation.

Superb stretch from Joseph Yobo to cut out a square ball across the six yard box from Sulley Muntari.

1711: First real threat from the Super Eagles as Yakubu collects the ball, swivels like John Travolta, but then shins the ball wide from 15 yards. Much like Travolta probably would. Great opening, ghastly finish.

1708: Dickson Etuhu slams into Michael Essien as Ghana press. Accra is a long way from Wearside but the intensity of tackles don't change. Sulley Muntari, cheeky chappy that he is, tries to tease a free-kick from out wide directly into the keeper's near post. Side-netting.

1706: Early pressure from the Black Stars as Michael Essien crashes a volley high and wide. High tempo thus far.

1701: Tempers fray instantly. Nwaneri squares up to Sulley Muntari within just 37 seconds. Hottest day of the tournament so far. Keep a lid on it chaps.

1700: Team huddles, throbbing stands, defeaning horns. The atmosphere is crackling in Accra. Nigeria, all in green, and Ghana, in Real Madrid all-white, are underway.

1657: "Eagles, mount up on your wings of glory and fortune, soar like the terrestrial angels, reach for the stars AND gobble up every black star on those terrestrial curtains....."
cravencottagearts on 606

1654: Almost exactly a year ago, Ghana thumped Nigeria 4-1 in a (so-called) friendly at, erm, Griffin Park. I kid you not. Lagos and Accra were foresaken for the delights of Brentford FC, but random locations aside, it was a big result.

On a bone-chilling (Tuesday) evening in west London, the Black Stars romped to their first victory over the Super Eagles in a decade and a half. And four pitch invasions took place that night, one for each Ghana goal.

1646: "It's live or die," says none other than the Special One when previewing this match. No, not Kanu. Jose Mourinho, that's who.

Describing both of them as his 'sons', two of his former players - Jon Mikel Obi and Michael Essien - stride onto centre stage in the searing heat (34 degrees) of the Accra Sports Stadium today.

The Nigerian and Ghanaian midfield enforcers are bound to have a big say on their team's chances of progression.

1638: TEAM NEWS
No messing about today becasue it doesn't get much bigger. Ghana and Nigeria are bitter rivals and these are the lucky souls who will be hurtling into tackles with each other like two runaway trains on a desperate collision course.

Ghana - Sarpei, Gyan, Pantsil, Mensah, Annan, Essien, Agogo, Muntari, Addo, Owusu, Kingson

Nigeria - Yobo, Taiwo, Nwaneri, Shittu, Ayegbeni, Obi, Odemwingie, Ejide, Olofinjana, Uche, Etuhu

1634: Akwaaba - or welcome - to what promises to some brutal and bloody knockout stages of the Africa Cup of Nations 2008.

The sparring is over, and now is the time for the cream of African football to start unleashing killer blows.

In the space of the next two days, eight will become four as Ghana, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Guinea, Egypt, Angola, Tunisia, and Cameroon, set about proving that they are the kings of the continent. Who's going to do it?