Afcon semi-finals – Key duels

players pivotal to their respective teams’ fortunes. Drogba’s role in the Ivorians’march to the semi-finals has been significant.
In the first round he produced the only goal of the game in their first match against Sudan, and set up Chelsea teammate Salomon Kalou for the opener against Burkina Faso.
Like so many of the Elephants’ star-studded squad he boasts invaluable big match sang froid, as he showed in the quarter-final when he responded to missing a penalty by scoring twice against Equatorial Guinea.
Mali captain Kante is like his Ivorian foe a national veteran, his rock solid stewardship of Mali’s defence an eye catching feature of the Eagles’ journey to the last four. The 32-year-old, who joined Greek side Panathinaikos in 2009, was born in France but elected to play for the country of his parents’ birth. He made his international debut back in 2006, and even got on the scoring sheet here when converting Mali’s third spot kick in the penalty shoot out quarter-final win over Gabon.
In the absence of Mali stars Mahamadou Diarra, Momo Sissoko and Frederic Kanoute Kante has, with Seydou Keita, assumed greater responsibilities. On his strong shoulders rest the hope’s of a nation.
At Bata – Ghana v Zambia
Asamoah Gyan (GHA) – Kennedy Mweene (ZAM)
Confidence is key for a striker, and Asamoah Gyan has it in bucketfuls. The United Arab Emirates-based forward is enjoying himself at the 2012 Nations Cup. Against Mali the 25-year-old was shackled by his markers until conjuring up a superb free-kick to spark the Black Stars’ 2-0 win.
And he was key to Ghana’s second goal when his back-heel set up Andre Ayew. He has come up with important goals for his country at the 2010 World Cup finals – despite missing the last minute penalty against Uruguay in the quarter-finals. – AFP.