Ghana reaches semis, Egypt edges Morocco

Brothers Jordan and Andre Ayew scored as Ghana beat a spirited Democratic Republic of Congo 2-1 in Oyem to reach the semifinals of the African Nations Cup finals on Sunday.

Seven-time winners Egypt, back at the continental finals for the first time since lifting the trophy in 2010, will face Burkina Faso in their semi-final on Wednesday in Libreville.

Ghana will have an extra day to rest and plot victory over Cameroon in Franceville on Thursday having reached the last four for the sixth time in a row.

All the goals in their quarterfinal with the Congolese came in a 15-minute spell in the second half.

Ghana was ahead when Mubarak Wakaso picked out Jordan Ayew and he sprinted to the edge of the box before unleashing a fierce shot past Congolese goalkeeper Ley Matampi.

It was a goal of high quality, but the equalizer from Paul-Jose Mpoku was even better as the Panathinaikos winger took aim from 30 meters and found the top corner of the net.

Congo was the architects of their own downfall after that though as defender Joyce Lomalisa clumsily fouled Christian Atsu in the box and Andre Ayew converted the penalty.

Ghana coach Avram Grant lamented his side’s first half showing but was full of praise for their second half display.

“We corrected mistakes we made and in the second period it was totally different,” Grant told reporters. “We played good football. The two goals we scored were fantastic. And when we fell asleep, they (DR Congo) also scored a fantastic goal.”