Libya have claimed the first piece of continental silverware by defeating the Black Stars in the final match of the 2014 African Nations Championship (CHAN).
The match played at tournament’s Cape Town Stadium, Saturday evening ended goalless after regulation and extra times, but the North Afican triumphed 4-3 after penalty kicks were played.
It was the third successive match Libya won by a shootout, after ousting Gabon and Zimbabwe in the same manner in the quarter- and semifinals respectively.
The Black Stars created their best chance of the first half as early as the second minute, with striker Siedu Bansey arriving late in the box to meet a left-wing cross and power a header on target, but goalkeeper Mohamed Nashnush made a good diving save.
Those two early chances were the highlights of an otherwise dull first 45 minutes that ended with the teams deadlocked at 0-0.
It was no surprise to see the match end goalless after the regulation 90 minutes and head into an extra half hour.
In the early minutes of extra time Libyan striker Abushnaf spurned a great chance to put his side in front, heading wide
of goal after meeting a peach of a cross from Elmehdi El Houni on the left wing.
The penalty shootout saw Ghana miss their first two kicks to great saves by Nashnush, but Adams soon saved two himself to keep the West Africans in the hunt. However when Tijani Joshua missed the final kick, it saw the Mediterranean Knights win 4-3.