Ayew brothers Jordan and Andre were scorers as Ghana dispatched DR Congo 2-1 to reach the semi-final of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations.
The two are sons of Ghana football legend Abedi ‘Pele’ Ayew, ranked among the greatest African footballers of all time.
Aston Villa’s Jordan was the first one to strike the opener just after the hour mark curling the ball past Matampi at DRC goal.
Leopards levelled the matters five minutes later when Paul-Jose M’poku drove a long range effort home.
It was the turn for the other of Ayew brothers, Andre who cooly slotted home the winner through a well taken penalty sending Matampi the wrong way.
DR Congo were the best team in the first half and they could have taken the lead in the seventh minute when Dieumerci Mbokani skipped past Razak but shot onto the post.
Ghana struggled to get a break to Leopards half but the steady midfield was perfect to limit the West Africans into their end.
Leopards again pulled their claws in 26th minute with real attacking move that was created when Mbokani controlled the ball well to set up Junior Kabananga Kalonji who fired high and above target.
DR Congo created one more chance in the last minutes of the first half winning a corner in 37th minute which got untidy clearnance by the Black Stars but the Leopards lacked the cutting to be on the lead.
Ghana best chance of the first half landed on the 37th minute mark, Paul-Jose M’Poku lifted a ball over to Mbokani but the Hull City striker controlled well inside the box but surprisingly shot off target with his left foot.
In the second half, Ghana came in a better side with Andre and Wakaso showing wonderful skills that potrayed hunger for goals.
In the 63rd minute Andre was first to test Matampi when he raced with the ball to the left side inside the box before delivering a shot but Matampi was ready to save Leopard out of injury with an wonderful save.
Ghana would finally get the goal in 63rd minute when Jordan had to break upfront delivered a masterclass controlling a threaded pass eliminating Merveille Bope Bokadi before curling home for the opener.
Black Stars joy would be short lived five minutes later,a quick taken free kick got into the legs of Mpoku who smashed a long range effort past goalkeeper Brimah for an equalizer.
Ten minutes later, a slight trip from Joyce Lomalisa earned Ghana a penalty after Christian Atsu went down in penalty area.
West Ham United’s Andre Ayew stepped forward and perfectly slotted home by sending the Matampi the wrong way.
DR Congo squadered three late chances.Second half substitute Bakambu missed one of the chances when he unleashed a thunderbolt but Brimah was alert and dived to palm to deny Leopards an equaliser.
Ghana held their nerve at the later stages and were lucky to escape with the win booking a semi-final date aganist Cameroon.
DR Congo: Matampi; Lomalisa, Tisserand, Bope, Mpeko – Kabananga, Mbemba, Mulumba (Bolingi 85′), Mubele (Bokila 83′) – M’Poku (Bakambu 83′), Mbokani
Ghana: Razak; Acheampong, Boye, Amartey, Afful – Wakaso, Acquah, Partey – Atsu, A.Ayew, J.Ayew
