Ghana survives Congo test, through to African Cup semifinals

LIBREVILLE, Gabon (AP) - Both Ayew brothers scored as Ghana survived a strong challenge from Congo to win 2-1 and advance to the semifinals at the African Cup of Nations on Sunday.

Jordan Ayew gave Ghana the lead in the 63rd minute and Andre Ayew swept in a 78th-minute penalty for the winner after Congo had equalized at Stade d'Oyem.

Congo's equalizer, a curving long-range shot from Paul-Jose Mpoku soon after Jordan Ayew's opener, threatened another surprise for the tournament's popular underdog.

But Ghana kept its nerve and maybe established itself as the new title favorite in Gabon after Senegal's elimination on Saturday. Ghana faces Senegal's conqueror, Cameroon, in the semifinals. Burkina Faso will play Egypt or Morocco in the other last-four game.

The definitive moment in Oyem came when Christian Atsu sped onto a pass late on and was tripped by Lomalisa Mutambala, giving Andre Ayew his chance from the spot.

He took it, and Ghana progressed to the semifinals for the sixth straight time at the Cup of Nations. That hasn't meant much for Ghana, though, with the four-time champion still looking for a first triumph since 1982.

Ghana has lost in three finals and four semifinals since then, including an agonizing defeat in a penalty shootout to Ivory Coast in the deciding game at the last African Cup. That experience two years ago left Andre Ayew sobbing and inconsolable.

The painful memories will likely keep Ghanaian feet on the ground this year, even after getting past Congo, a tricky adversary that qualified top of a group that contained defending champion Ivory Coast and Morocco.

Congo also threatened Ghana right to the end.

Cedric Bakambu had two chances in the final minutes to take the game to extra time. His dipping shot three minutes from full time was pushed away by Ghana goalkeeper Brimah Razak, and he shot wide in injury time.

Jordan Ayew benefited from a defensive error when Wakaso Mubarak robbed Congo of possession. He passed to Jordan Ayew, who cut inside two defenders and shot into the right corner for 1-0.

Mpoku's goal two minutes later was a fabulous strike that curved away from goalkeeper Razak and into the net. It led Congo goalkeeper Ley Matampi to revive the sitting-down, bottom-shuffle celebration made famous by former 'keeper Robert Kidiaba when Congo made the semifinals two years ago.

Andre Ayew ended the celebrations, putting Matampi on his backside again after sending him the wrong way for the match-winning spot-kick.