Both teams ultimately paid a high price for cautious tactics in only the second football match between the countries, seeking to exploit mistakes rather than take risks going forward.
Sunday’s result means Zimbabwe drew all their three matches in Group B, with the other ending in a 1-1 stalemate against the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Ghana finally came good to outclass the DRC 3-0 and qualify for the semi-finals.
The joint top seeds in the maiden edition of a tournament for local-based players finished top of Group B with five points followed by DR Congo (four), Zimbabwe (three) and Libya (two).
Another boost for the Black Stars is that they will remain in the central textile city of Bouake for a semi-final showdown with Senegal on Wednesday while DR Congo travel to face Zambia in Abidjan later the same day.
Zambia topped Group A on goal difference from Senegal after both drew their final matches on Saturday against Tanzania and hosts Ivory Coast, who managed just one point from three matches.
Forced to come from behind against Zimbabwe and Libya to snatch draws, Ghana knew nothing less than victory over DR Congo would assure them of a place in the knockout phase.
The West Africans also wanted to enhance an image spoilt by the sending off of defender Ofusu Appiah against Zimbabwe and Serb coach Milovan Rajevac against Libya.
Midfielder Charles Taylor broke the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, beating experienced Congolese goalkeeper Muteba Kidiaba with a long-range free kick.
Yaw Antwi added a second through a shot from inside the penalty area and Edmund Owusu Ansah connected with a Ibrahim Ayew cross in the closing stages to claim his second goal of the tournament.
GROUP
A:
|
 |
P |
W |
L |
D |
GF |
GA |
PTS |
|
Zambia |
3 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
4 |
1 |
5 |
|
Senegal |
3 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
5 |
|
Tanzania |
3 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
4 |
|
Ivory |
3 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
4 |
1 |
GROUP B
:
|
 |
P |
W |
L |
D |
GF |
GA |
PTS |
|
Ghana |
3 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
6 |
3 |
5 |
|
DRC |
3 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
4 |
4 |
|
Zimbabwe |
3 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
|
Libya |
3 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
3 |
2 |
Top two teams in each Group qualify for semi-finals. Winner Group A plays second runner-up in Group B and vice versa
FIXTURES & RESULTS:
Cote D'Ivoire 0-3 Zambia 19H00, Group A, 22.02.09, 16H00, Abidjan
Senegal 1-0 Tanzania Group A 22.02.09 Abidjan 15H00
Ghana 2-2 Zimbabwe Group B 23.02.09 Bouake 18H00
RD Congo 2-0 Libya Group B 23.02.09 Bouake 16H00
Zambia 0-0 Senegal Group A 25.02.09 Abidjan 19H00
Tanzania 1-0 Cote D'Ivoire Group A 25.02.09 Abidjan 15H00
Zimbabwe 1-1 RD Congo Group B 26.02.09 Bouake 18H00
Libya 1-1 Ghana Group B 26.02.09 Bouake 16H00
Cote D'Ivoire 0-0 Senegal Group A 28.02.09 Abidjan 16H00
Zambia 1-1 Tanzania Group A 28.02.09 Bouake 16H00
Ghana 3-0 RD Congo Group B 01.03.09 Bouake 16H00
Zimbabwe 0-0 Libya Group B 01.03.09 Abidjan
Semi-Finals/½ Finale
13. Ghana V Senegal 04.03.09 15H00 Bouake
14. Zambia V DR Congo B 04.03.09 19H00 Abidjan
3rd Place match/Match de classement
15. Loser-Perdant: 13 V Loser-Perdant: 14 07.03.09 16H00 Abidjan
Final match/Match final
 THE NEWZIMBABWE.COM