Equatorial Guinea, DRC advance in AFCON

Javier Balboa converted a stoppage time penalty and scored in extra time as Equatorial Guinea beat Tunisia 2-1 after Democratic Republic of Congo scored three goals within 16 minutes to turn a 2-0 deficit into a 4-2 triumph.

Tunisia took the lead in the 70th minute through Ahmed Akaichi, but former Real Madrid winger Balboa equalized with a penalty two minutes into injury time. Balboa then struck a free kick goal in the 102nd minute to send Equatorial Guinea to their first semi-final in history.

Ferebory Dore gave Congo the lead in the 55th minute, and Thievy Bifouma made it 2-0 after 62 minutes.

DR Congo charged back with Dieumerci Mbokani pulling a goal back three minutes later before Jeremy Bokila equalized 2-2 for DR Congo in the 75th minute.

Joel Kimwaki gave the Leopards the lead with his score in the 81st minute, and Mbokani added a second tally two minutes into stoppage time for DR Congo's first victory of the tournament.

"I thought we could come back. Maybe not score four goals, but we were not in trouble. Often when you lead 2-0, you think it's over, and we took advantage of that," said DR Congo coach Florent Ibenge, whose team reached the semis for the first time since taking third place in 1998.

"Congo DR showed once again that they are unpredictable. We were too excited after the second goal. It is a lack of experience at a high level. Instead of staying concentrated, we were fluttered after the first goal and tried to keep the lead," Congo coach Claude Le Roy said after the defeat.

In the semi-finals Wednesday, Congo DR will play the winner of the quarter-final Sunday between Algeria and Ivory Coast. Equatorial Guinea will play either Ghana or Guinea, who play in the first quarter-final on Sunday.

DR Congo had the first good chance after nine minutes as Yannick Bolasie curled a long attempt just over the cross bar. The Leopards were close again five minutes later, but Chancel Mbemba's header sailed over the target.

Congo finally gave a scare three minutes before the break but Dore's free kick hammer went just centimetres over the woodwork.

DR Congo continued to pressure Congo's defense, but Bokila's shot from eight yards hit the crossbar in the 53rd minute.

The Red Devils grabbed the lead two minutes later with Dimitri Bissiki curling a free kick to the far right side where Dore hit home from point blank range.

Congo DR found only the woodwork in the 59th minute as Cedric Makiadi's free kick blasted off the crossbar.

Congo doubled the lead in the 62nd minute after DR Congo defender Jean Kasusula's poor pass was intercepted. DR Congo keeper Robert Kidiaba stopped Dore's initial shot, but Bifouma hammered home from two yards out.

Congo DR pulled a goal back in the 65th minute as Bolasie cut a ball back to Mbokani, who had plenty of space to tap in from three yards out.

Bokila finally found the back of the net in the 75th minute with a strike from 10 yards to even the match at 2-2.

DR Congo completed the comeback and grabbed the lead in the 81st minute with Cedric Mabwati curling a free kick into the box where Kimwaki headed in.

Mbokani added a fourth goal on a counterattack two minutes into stoppage time.

Tunisia came into the second quarter-final as heavy favourites being number 22 in the FIFA world rankings compared to Equatorial Guinea's 118th ranking. The hosts are ranked 36th among African teams.

The first half did not have many highlights though Ferjani Sassi headed Akaichi's fine cross just wide in the 30th minute for Tunisia and Balboa had his shot cleared at the line in the 39th minute.

Equatorial Guinea keeper Felipe Ovono made a fine save on Akaichi's attempt six minutes after the re-start.

Tunisia finally broke through with 20 minutes to play as Hamza Mathlouthi crossed into the box where Akaichi turned it in for his third goal of the tournament.

Equatorial Guinea equalized on a questionable penalty ruling as Ali Maaloul was ruled to have taken down Ivan Bolado in the area. Balboa stepped up to the spot and struck into the lower left corner.

In extra time, Equatorial Guinea were awarded a free kick in the 102nd minute, and Balboa placed his free kick perfectly into the upper right corner for the 2-1 lead.

(File photo: Gallo Images)