Final result . Ghana 0 : Zambia 1.
Zambia has qualified for CAF 2012 Finals.

Zambia enter this showdown in the Equatoguinean city Bata trying to reach their first Africa Cup of Nations final since 1994 - and only the third in their history.

The Chipolopolo, who have never won the competition after also finishing runners-up in 1974, take on a Ghana side bidding to reach a record ninth final, and second in succession.

The winner of Wednesday's first semi-final will meet favourites Ivory Coast or Mali in Sunday's final in the Gabonese capital Libreville.

"Everybody expects an Ivory Coast-Ghana final and everybody thinks it will be a surprise if we get through - everybody except us," says Zambia coach Herve Renard, who wears a 'lucky white shirt' during matches.

Bidding to become the first southern African side into a Nations Cup final since 1998, Zambia have special reason to make the final in Gabon, off whose coast 18 Chipolopolo players died in a 1993 plane crash.

Zambia, whose side boasts just one player in top-flight European football (Switzerland-based Emmanuel Mayuka), have met Ghana three times at the Nations Cup, with the Black Stars winning twice and losing once.

Boasting a generation of players who came closer than any African team to reaching a World Cup semi-final two years ago, Goran Stevanovic has constantly spoken of his aim to win Ghana's first Nations Cup since 1982.

"We relish being among the favourites and there is additional pressure on the team because I have told them many times that Ghana must win the Cup of Nations for the first time in 30 years," says the Serbian coach.