John Mensah apologises to Ghana fans for team’s Afcon semi-final failure

After failing to secure a ticket for the final game of the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, Ghana captain John Mensah has apologised to fans and the people back home.

The Black Stars lost 1-0 to Zambia in Wednesday’s semi-final game courtesy of a goal by substitute Emmanuel Mayuka after Asamoah Gyan missed a penalty in the first half.

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"We are sorry for the whole of Ghana for what happened today," said Mensah after the game, according to the BBC.

Ghana were favourites to reach the final, where they played at the last tournament in Angola 2010, but were stunned by the underrated southern Africans in the game in Bata, Equatorial Guinea.

"It's unlucky that we lost this game.

"We promise them we will come back strongly next year [in the 2013 Cup of Nations in South Africa],” Mensah said.

Ghana will play a third place match against Mali on Saturday.