Hosts Equatorial Guinea last night stunned Tunisia to reach semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations. Former Real Madrid winger Javier Balboa scored twice to give the hosts a stunning 2-1 extra-time victory over the North African favourites.

The winner came 12 minutes into extra time in port city Bata when Balboa superbly curled a free-kick into the top corner of the net past goalkeeper Aymen Mathlouthi. The result was among the greatest upsets in the 58-year competition with Tunisia 96 places above Equatorial Guinea in the FIFA world rankings.

Ahmed Akaichi put Tunisia ahead on 70 minutes with a close-range shot and Balboa levelled in stoppage time with a perfectly struck penalty.

The reward for 28-1 pre-tournament long shots Equatorial Guinea is a semi-final with Ghana or Guinea in capital Malabo next Thursday.

Earlier, the Democratic Republic of Congo staged a stunning comeback in the first match of a Bata double-header to defeat Congo Brazzaville 4-2 and secure a last-four showdown with Algeria or the Ivory Coast.

Congo, who were only reinstated in the qualifying tournament of the competition after Rwanda were disqualified for fielding an ineligible player, led this battle of the Congos 2-0 before DRC fought back to win with four goals in the last 25 minutes.

Following a flat first 45 minutes in a largely deserted Estadio de Bata, this derby clash came to life after the break, with Ferebory Dore volleying Congo in front 10 minutes into the second half.

Thievy Bifouma then doubled their lead just after the hour mark, but the Leopards were back in the game on 65 minutes when Dieumerci Mbokani found the net.

Loteteka Bokila equalised with 15 minutes remaining before substitute Joel Kimwaki Mpela put Florent Ibenge’s side ahead and Mbokani then clinched the win. The result sees DR Congo advance to the last four for the first time since 1998, while the adventure ends here for Claude Le Roy’s team.

In today’s remaining quarter-final matches, Ghana battle Guinea while Ivory Coast takes on Algeria.

•Photo shows action Equatorial Guinea dealing with Tunisia in last night’s 2015 AFCON quarter-final upset.

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