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Africa Cup of Nations round-up: Ivory Coast and Ghana make semi-finals

Ivory Coast's forward Wilfried Bony celebrates after scoring a goal.
Image: Ivory Coast's forward Wilfried Bony celebrates after scoring against Algeria

Wilfried Bony was the star turn as Ivory Coast beat tournament favourites Algeria 3-1 to reach the last four of the Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday.

Showing the sort of form which persuaded Premier League champions Manchester City to pay Swansea £25m in the January transfer window, Bony produced two excellent headers - one in each half - to hand Ivory Coast a semi-final date with DR Congo.

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Highlights of the African Cup of Nations quarter-final between Algeria and the Ivory Coast

Bony struck from close range to give Les Elephants a 26th-minute lead and, after Hilal Soudani had equalised soon after the restart, the muscular frontman rose majestically to meet Yaya Toure's free kick after 68 minutes.

And Gervinho, restored after a two-match ban for his red card against Guinea, punished Algeria's all-out attack in the closing stages with a third Ivory Coast goal deep into stoppage time.

That was tough on Algeria, who had contributed so much to an entertaining contest in Malabo and almost levelled in the final 10 minutes through Islam Slimani and Faouzi Ghoulam, the latter's free kick forcing a sprawling save from Sylvain Gbohouo.

Image: Ghana's Christian Atsu

Earlier in the day, a wonder goal from Christian Atsu helped Avram Grant's Ghana into their fifth straight Africa Cup of Nations semi-final following a 3-0 victory over a disappointing Guinea.

Ghana will now meet hosts Equatorial Guinea in the last four.

More from Africa Cup Of Nations 2015

Despite starting the tournament slowly, Grant's men are growing in confidence and class - both of which were evident in this convincing display.

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Highlights of the African Cup of Nations quarter-final between Ghana and Guinea

Atsu opened the scoring for the Group C winners in the third minute and Kwesi Appiah, making his first competitive start, doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time, firing home from close range after a defensive howler.

Atsu then added a sublime third midway through the second half with a long-range effort which looks likely to be a contender for goal of the tournament.

Ghana were convincing, but Guinea, who only progressed from Group D following the drawing of lots with Mali, did not do themselves justice and looked weary throughout.

Grant's side celebrated their goals jubilantly with new choreographed dances and were able to see out the contest without much incident as Guinea, whose goalkeeper Naby Yattara was sent off for a late flying kick at Asamoah Gyan, faded. 

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