Jordan Ayew and Dede Ayew were both on song for Ghana as the Black Stars won a tough encounter against DR Congo to progress to the last four of Gabon 2017.Jordan Ayew broke the deadlock in the second half, before Paul-José M'Poku bagged a brilliant equaliser for the Congolese.
But Andre Ayew found the back of the net from the penalty-spot to put the Black Stars in front and they never looked back.
DR Congo made the brighter start and should have been ahead inside seven minutes when Dieumerci Mbokani rounded Ghana keeper Brimah Razak, but his weak shot trickled onto the post when he should have scored.
Mbokani was wasteful again eight minutes before halftime when he was played into space in the box, but shot wildly wide when he should have done much better.
The teams went into the break even, but Ghana started with much more purpose after the break and after going close several times, Jordan Ayew broke the deadlock.
His ran at the DR Congo defence, beating two players before rifling a shot past Ley Matampi in the DR Congo goal.
The lead lasted just a matter of minutes though as M'Poku crashed the ball home from 35-yards with a super long-range pile-driver.
Ghana were back in front with 13 minutes remaining when Christian Atsu was brought down in the area and Andre Ayew converted from the spot.
In the last quarter-final match of Gabon 2017,Mahmoud Kahraba scored an 87th minute winner for Egypt as they beat Atlas Lions of Morocco led by Herve Renard to book a tie with Burkina Faso.
The seven times winner were on the back foot for much of the game against their north African rivals but snatched the winner from an 87th minute corner.
Morocco failed to clear the bouncing ball and substitute Kahraba hooked it home from close range to book a semifinal on Wednesday against Burkina Faso.
Ghana meet Cameroon in the other semifinal in Franceville on Thursday.
The first half proved an intriguing tactical battle as Morocco pressed their opponents but gave away too many midfield fouls.
There was little way through got Egypt in the first half and their only chance fell after 15 minutes from a corner when Juventus’ Medhi Benatia completely missed the cross and Mohamed Trezeguet behind him was gifted a chance to shoot, forcing out a good save from Morocco goalkeeper Munir.
A similar defensive lapse by Egypt almost saw them concede their first goal of the tournament when Romain Saiss had a chance right in front of goal but completely missed it, only for the ball to bounce back for him to follow-up with header that shaved the crossbar and bounce over.
At start of the second half, Egypt had an immediate opportunity when Mohamed Salah broke free of his marker and hit a half volley at goal only to see Munir make a superb one-handed save.
Then Morocco’s Mbark Boussoufa curled a shot from outside the box onto the crossbar in the 55th minute and five minutes later target man Aziz Bouhaddouz missed from close range.
Morocco kept up the pressure with more half chances in the final minutes before being caught at their own corner and seeing their Nations Cup hopes dramatically ended.
Semi-Final Fixtures
Cameroon vs Ghana
Burkina Faso vs Egypt
Photo Credit : Cafonline
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