Ghana Beats DR Congo To Qualify For Semi Finals

Ghana qualified to the semi finals of the Africa Cup of Nations (AfCON) tournament in Gabon with a 2-1 win over DR Congo.

A goal each from brothers Andre and Jordan Ayew booked a place for the Black Stars at the Stade d'Oyem in the Gabonese city Oyem, on Sunday.

The Black Stars came back stronger in the second half after a less impressive game in the first half. Despite a cracking strike from Paul-José M'Poku, Ghana rallied to book their place in the semis with two goals, one through a penalty converted by Dede Ayew.

Ghana would now prepare to play Cameroon in the semifinals.

The Leopards carried on from where they left off in the group stages and should have been a goal up seven minutes in.

A defensive blunder by Harrison Afful opened the door for Dieumerci Mbokani; the Hull City forward duly skipped past Brimah Razak, but couldn't score.

Ghana struggled to break down a very organised Leopards side, in contrast, Florent Ibenge's men were almost conjuring chances at will.

And after Mbokani held off three defenders before setting up the in form Junior Kabananga - the Kazakhstan-based attacker could only succeed in seeing his left-footed shot well over the crossbar in the 26th minute of the clash.

Most of the game was concentrated in the middle of the park, but DR Congo were clearly the more confident of the two sides with goal-minder Ley Matampi a mere spectator in the opening stanza.

DR Congo created one last chance before the break with Chancel Mbemba unable to direct his header on target, having sneaked in at the back post from a free-kick.

Ghana started the second half better with Andre Ayew testing Matampi almost immediately from the kick-off. Mubarak Wakaso was then brilliantly denied by Matampi minutes later as the west Africans came to life.

Ghana scored the first goal in the 63rd minute through Aston Villa Jordan Ayew. Wakaso was the provider as he won the ball back before feeding his teammate; Jordan skipped past Merveille Bope before curling the ball into the back of the net for the games opener.

Their joy was cut short when DR Congo hit back five minutes later. A quickly taken free-kick played to M'Poku, who hit home a right-footed rocket from range leave the game at 1-1.

Ghana, though, will not be denied a place in the final four and after Joyce Lomalisa was adjudged to have brought down Christian Atsu inside the area, Andre Ayew duly converted from 12 yards in the 78th minute.

Cédric Bakambu squandered two late chances for DR Congo as Ghana just about held their nerve. Victory moves them one step closer to winning a first African crown since 1982.

GBC