AFCON2015: GHANA, IVORY COAST INTO THE SEMI-FINAL

Ghana eased into their fifth consecutive Africa Cup of Nations semi-final by beating a poor Guinea.

Christian Atsu set them on their way after only four minutes, stroking in from Andre Ayew's clever backheel.

Guinea gifted Ghana a second when Baissama Sankoh horribly sliced a clearance and Kwesi Appiah ran clean though on goal to slot home.

Atsu made it 3-0 after the hour, coming in from the right touchline to strike an outrageous shot into the top corner.

The match was a stark contrast to the drama of Saturday's quarter-finals, in which DR Congo and Equatorial Guinea came from behind to win - the latter in controversial circumstances.

From the start of this game there was only going to be one winner as Ghana barely had to break sweat to defeat Guinea, who had qualified for the last eight through the drawing of lots at the expense of Mali.

Ghana players celebrating one of the goals against Guinea

The Black Stars made a fast start and they cut Guinea apart on the right flank as Appiah fed Ayew and his backheeled cross was converted by Atsu from eight yards out.

Even at that early stage, Guinea's body language and energy indicated this was a game too far for a team that had lost their past three Nations Cup quarter-finals.

Ghana, who are seeking their fifth title and first since 1982, took their time to make the superiority tell - seemingly content to play within themselves in the face of a non-existent threat from their opponents.

In fact, Guinea proved more dangerous to themselves just before half-time when centre-back Sankoh made a howler of what should have been a routine clearance, slicing the ball into the path of Crystal Palace forward Appiah, who ran on to the ball and comfortably fired past keeper Naby Yattara.

Sixteen minutes after the restart Ghana made certain of the victory in some style as Chelsea winger Atsu pulled off an audacious cross-shot from the right flank, sending the ball over Yattara and into the far top corner of the goal.

From then on it was a procession for Avram Grant's men, who appeared to be saving themselves for a meeting with tournament hosts Equatorial Guinea on Thursday.

Guinea's disappointing day was made worse in stoppage time when goalkeeper Yattara clattered Asamoah Gyan outside the box and was sent off for the reckless challenge.

In the other semi-final match played earlier on Sunday, tournaments favorites, the elephants of Cote d'ivoire eases pass the desert foxes of Algeria.

Ivory Coast players celebrates their victory against Algeria

Wilfried Bony scored twice to take Ivory Coast into the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations.

The new Manchester City striker headed the Elephants in front from a right-wing cross by Max Gradel.

Hilal Soudani equalised for Algeria against the run of play early in the second half and then forced goalkeeper Sylvain Gbohouo into a brilliant save.

Gbohouo was rewarded when Bony headed in Yaya Toure's free-kick and Junior Tallo set up Gervinho for a late third.

The margin of victory flattered Ivory Coast in what was an even contest and before former Arsenal striker Gervinho confirmed the result on the break, they had been under pressure from Algeria.

Their defence seemed all over the place at times and semi-final opponents DR Congo will have taken note.

Algeria, in the quarter-finals for the first time since 2010, made the brighter start to the contest and almost went ahead in the ninth minute.

Yacine Brahimi raced into the left-hand side of the penalty area and the Elephants' defence failed to deal with his cross, allowing Soudani to get in a shot which was well held by Gbohouo.

In the 21st minute, Riyad Mahrez volleyed over from close range but then Ivory Coast hit back.

Two minutes later, Gradel floated in a free-kick from the left and Serge Aurier's downward header hit the base of the post and then in the 26th minute they took the lead.

Gradel was again involved as he delivered a testing cross from the right and Bony escaped the defence to head home from eight yards.

Bony shot wide from distance towards the end of the first half before at the other end, Saphir Taider's sharp volley was confidently saved by Gbohouo.

The start of the second half mirrored the start of the first with one team dominating but the other one scoring.

This time Ivory Coast were the team who started on top but a comedy of errors in their defence after a deep cross into their penalty area finally saw the ball fall to Soudani, who fired it home.

That sparked a spell of dominance from the Desert Foxes with Gbohouo twice having to clear his lines before he made an amazing 66th minute save from Soudani's point-blank effort.

The momentum changed and two minutes later Bony restored Ivory Coast's lead when he climbed highest to head Yaya Toure's set-piece inside the near post.

Algeria piled on the pressure in the closing stages but could not find an equaliser and Gervinho finished them off when he passed the ball into the net.

Akin' Odunsi

@gr8akin