Zambia prevail over the Black Stars

Calls

Almost all his calls were spot on. His card policy was very good (see paragraph 6). The penalty was a correct decision as well, but it was again Asamoah Gyan who failed from the spot, we have already known him from URU-GHA at 2010 FIFA WC. After the 1-0 which was scored quite lately, he sent off Derek Boateng which was a correct decision due to the fact that it was a tactical foul aimed at avoiding a promising counter attack of Zambia.

Assistant Referees

He was accompanied by Redouane Achik from Morocco and Jean-Claude Birumushahu from Burundi. They nearly had not anything to do, less offsides, less situations to solve in general.

A clear development

Benouza has improved in every match at this AFCON. After a bad start, there was a decent performance in EQG-ZAM and now he was on a worldclass level. What if he had been appointed for the final??

Card management

He issued four yellows and gave a 2nd yellow card. The first yellow was a harmless foul - but only at first glance. It was a small but nasty kick in the Ghana player's calf. The next yellow was for dangerous play, was adequate too. The 3rd yellow can be given, too, and the last yellow card was for a tactical foul which avoided a solo of Andre Ayew. The 2nd yellow card was just consistent. A Zambian who had already laid on the ground, snatched up and threw his body into a Zambian who had just started a very promising counterattack. Correct, there were no complaints. There was one situation in minute 39, where a Zambian could/should have booked for a foul. I am not sure whether it was a mistake, perhaps a decision which depends on the style, but I think the yellow card would have been the better call.

Moment of silence

Due to the shocking incidents in Port Said, Egypt, there was again a moment of silence at this AFCON. However, Benouza talked with team via wire and mostly looked on his clock to catch the moment when it is enough with the silence. A bit tactless.

Difficulty

A decent match, it was at least a semifinal and contained some close and important situations: 8,0.

Background

Well, CAF seems to find it fair that Zambia had 3 full days to recover and Ghana only the Tuesday. Moreover, the Black Stars had a hard extra time to play..