Live Commentary: Congo 2-4 Congo DR - as it happened

Good afternoon! It's just 30 minutes until the knockout stage of the Africa Cup of Nations gets underway, with Congo and Congo DR going head-to-head for the first semi-final place. Let's start with a look at the teams.

CONGO XI: Mafoumbi, Bissiki, Moubhio, Laudry, Babele, Oniangue, Bouka, N'Dinga, Litsingi, Dore, Bifouma

CONGO DR XI: Kidiaba, Mpeko, Monongu, Kasusula, Zakuani, Mbemba, Makiadi, Mabwati, Bolasie, Bokila, Mbokani

Congo DR are without Youssouf Mulumbu, who also missed their final group game with a hamstring injury. Yannick Bolasie and Jeremy Bokila have scored the only goals of the tournament so far for the side, and both start this afternoon.

Thievy Bifouma has picked up knocks in his last two outings with Congo, but is fit to start this afternoon. He and captain Prince Oniangue led the team through the group stage and into the last eight.

Congo coach Claude LeRoy used to be in charge of his current side's neighbours, and he told reporters: "Our potential, talent, vigour make us a good bet for the semi-finals. I was in charge of DR Congo - we know the team perfectly, but they know us perfectly as well, so there is a good balance between the two sides. I have talked for months about the quality of this Congo team - their fighting spirit. They are at a very good level in terms of thinking of the games, tactically and technically. It is a huge pleasure."

His opposite number, Florent Ibenge, said at his pre-match press conference: "We are the same country separated by a river. We know our brothers, we are the same people, the same lives. We qualified with a lot of difficulties as we as were the 16th team to get here. Everybody thought we would be eliminated but we are still here. They have a good team with a good and experienced coach. We just hope we don't go behind and have to chase the game as we did against Tunisia."

Congo's only previous AFCON quarter-final appearance came 23 years ago, when they lost 2-1 to Senegal. Congo DR are in the last eight for the fifth time, but they've only progressed to the semis once.

Congo DR secured their spot in the quarter-finals this year without winning a group game. Their three draws so far in the competition was enough for them to finish second in their group.

The players are making their way out ready for kickoff. Attendances through the group games in Equatorial Guinea have been impressive, but the stadium is almost empty for this clash.

This will be the fourth time that these two sides have met in AFCON. Congo DR lead the head-to-head with two wins, but Congo won their most recent clash in 1974.

This is the first of two fixtures in this stadium today, with host nation Equatorial Guinea facing Tunisia this evening. We'll have live coverage of that fixture too from 6.30pm.

KICKOFF! Congo get the match underway.

Arnold Moutou steals the ball away from Congo DR to try to create an early chance for Congo, and the defender is given plenty of time and space before he unleashes his shot, but his finish flies well high of the goal.

Dieudonee Mbokani makes a run down the right for Congo DR, but he's unable to get the cross in as Bissiki is closely marking the striker. DR have looked sharp on the ball, but they haven't been able to put Congo under pressure in the final third yet.

Mbemba plays a well-timed through ball down the left for Mbokani, but the striker loses his footing while trying to force his way into the box. Congo DR continue to do all the early running though, while Congo seem happy to defend at the minute.

CHANCE! Yannick Bolasie forces a shot after his teammates fail to get forward, leaving him with no-one to cross to. The Crystal Palace man curls the ball in from 25 yards out, but he's just wide of the top corner. It was well-struck though, and had Christoffer Mafoumbi well beaten.

CHANCE! Congo DR are on the attack again as Bolasie crosses the ball in towards Mbokani, but his delivery to deflected behind by Moubhibo to give DR the first corner of the match, but Mbemba's header comfortably clears the crossbar.

CHANCE! Congo DR have started to look really threatening the last couple of minutes, and they force a good save from Mafoumbi as Bolasie pulls the ball back for Mbokani to try to drill in low, but it's tipped behind for a corner, which Congo easily clear.

Ferebory Dore and Thievy Bifouma, who have proved a strong attacking partnership so far in this tournament, have not seen much of the ball for Congo so far. The latter crosses the ball in towards Litsingi, but Kidiaba comes off his line to collect it.

Congo DR have certainly looked the stronger side so far, and their back on the attack, but Bolasie loses out to Litsingi, who turns the ball behind for a corner.

Bifouma makes a break down the right before trying to cut inside for Congo, but Mongongu spots the danger and dispossesses the Congo playmaker. Ndinga tries to play it back forward for Litsingi, but once again the defenders are ready for the ball.

Moutou tries to rifle the ball in with a low strike on the edge of the box, but Zakuani deflects it behind to give Congo their first corner of the match. Congo DR are on the counter-attack after a quick clearance though, but Oniangue gets back to block Bolasie's run.

Congo are starting to get more time on the ball, but Congo DR are keeping them inside their own half. They've got forward a couple of times on the counter-attack, but there hasn't been too much for DR keeper Robert Kidiaba to do yet.

Congo have another corner, but Bifouma's delivery in towards Oniangue is nodded clear by Zakuani. DR have looked well organised while defending set pieces so far.

Bifouma bursts towards the Congno Dr goal, but Makiadi tangles with the striker in midfield, leaving himself clutching his ankle. He has the free kick, and it's booted long into the box for Bokila, but the teenager's low strike lacks powers, and is straight at the keeper.

Bifouma clatters into Mbemba around 25 yards out, giving Congo DR a free kick in a dangerous position. Bifouma has been on the receiving end of some physical challenges so far, but he lets his frustration get the better of him. Mpeko is the unusual choice for the free kick, and the left-back's effort goes well high.

BOOKING! Another Congo DR free kick is cleared, and gives Congo a chance to put their opponents under pressure on the counter-attack. Makiadi charges into Dore trying to stop his run, and earns himself the first yellow card of the match.

CHANCE! Dore takes the resulting free kick himself just a few yards outside the penalty area. The striker's effort has plenty of power behind it, but it rises at the last second.

There are half-chances at both ends as both sides go for the hit-and-hope approach. Litsingi's chest-high effort is straight into the arms of the Congo DR keeper, while Bokila blasts the ball wide down the other end from 25 yards out moments later.

There's an injury concern for Congo DR right at the end of the first half as Gabriel Zakuani appears to have picked up a knock, but he manages to hobble to the sideline.

So after 45 minutes, there's nothing to separate the neighbouring nations as both fail to find the back of the net in the first half. Neither side have really looked at their best so far, but that means it's still all to play for after the break.

Let's take a look at some of the stats from the opening 45 minutes. The rivals both had 50% of the possession, but Congo DR had more shots, with eight to Congo's five. Congo haven't tested the keeper yet, while Congo DR have had two of their shots saved.

The players are making their way back out ready for the second half.

KICKOFF! Congo DR get the match back underway.

PENALTY APPEAL! Jeremy Bokila thinks that he should have a spot kick for Congo DR as he tangles with Moutou on the edge of the box, but the assistant referee, who had the best view, isn't interested.

Congo DR have made a bright start to the second half. Bolasie uses his pace down the right flank before crossing in towards Bokila, but the midfielder is flagged offside.

Zakuani is down again. He was struggling at the end of the first half and it looks like he hasn't been able to shake it off during the break. To make matters worse, the team that brings on the stretcher hits the brakes on the goal cart late, and run into the defender.

SUB! Zakuani is going off, with Joel Kimwaki Mpela taking his place at the back.

OFF THE BAR! Congo DR have the best chance of the match so far as a high ball forward from Bolasie finds Mbokani, who in turn heads it down for Bokila, who has only the keeper to beat. He tries to smash it into the roof of the net, but slices it too much, hitting the underside of the crossbar. He really should have done better with that one.

Congo make their neighbours pay for the miss a few minutes earlier as Delvin N'Dinga curls a free kick in from 25 yards out, and Ferebory Dore pops up to tap it in from close range.

Bolasie wants a spot kick down the other end as he pushes for a quick equaliser for Congo DR. A fair tackle from Moutou brings the Crystal Palace man down, and he's penalised for a dive.

CHANCE! Mafumbi makes a stunning save for Congo to keep his side in front. Makiadi wins a free kick and takes the set piece himself, curling it superbly over the wall, and it looked like it was just dipping under the bar, but the Congo keeper parried it away.

The tournament's top scorer, Thievy Bifouma, adds another goal to his account as he doubles Congo's lead. It was a case of right place at the right time for the talismanic striker as Ferebory Dore made the most of a poor clearance to play his way into the Congo DR penalty area before trying to drill it in himself, but Bifouma was there to pounce when his strike partner's effort was blocked.

Having doubled their lead, Congo sit back for a moment, allowing their rivals to go on the attack, and it's Diuedonne Mbokani who comes up with a superb finish as he slices the ball in from the middle of the box.

CHANCE! Congo DR are almost back on level terms! Mbokani is involved again, this time setting up Bokila for the shot, but his finish from a tight angle is inches wide.

CHANCE! Oniangue almost makes it a two-goal lead down the other end again as he meets a ball in from Litsingi, but the Congo captain can't quite get his boot to the ball, allowing Kidiaba to gather it. This has turned into a fantastic battle!

Mafoumbi has to remain alert as Mbokani is weaving his way through the Congo defenders again, but the keeper gathers before his delivery reaches Bokila.

SUB! Congo DR made a change after getting the goal back that I haven't had chance to tell you about yet! Neeskens Kebano is on for Cedric.

CHANCE! Bolasie shows amazing pace and footwork to control a long, high ball forward before sending in a superb cross for Kebano, but the substitute wasn't ready, and ended up turning the ball well wide. It's a waste, as it really was an excellent delivery from Bolasie.

There's an injury concern for Congo now as Ferebory Dore is down, and it looks like Dominique Malonga could be getting ready to replace him.

Bokila has missed some sitters in the second half, but he's pulled off a stunning finish to get Congo DR back on level terms. N'Dinga tries to clear from an Mpeko ball, but it's straight into the path of Bokila, who powers it into the top corner.

Yannick Bolasie beats three defenders as he tries to make the most of Congo DR's momentum, but he's eventually stopped by Babele.

SUB! Dominique Malongo, who plays his club football in the Scottish Championship with Hibs, has indeed replaced the injure Ferebory Dore.

Substitute Joel Kimwaki Mbela has completed a remarkable comeback for Congo DR! With less than 10 minutes to go, the defender pops up to head in from a Neeskens Kebano free kick as Makiadi had been tripped on the edge of the box.

Congo send on some fresh legs as Cesaire Gandze takes the place of Litsingi, who has barely seen the ball this afternoon., while Ondama takes the place of Moutou. Ondama came on to score the goal that secured Congo's last-eight place in their last match.

CHANCES! Yannick Bolasie has a chance to put the win beyond doubt for Congo DR as he burst through the Congo defenders, but his finish is poor to give Mafoumbi an easy save. Ondama immediately heads down the other end to try and keep Congo's hopes alive, but some clever keeping from Kidiaba, who is retiring at the end of this tournament, forces a mistake from the substitute.

CHANCE! Kimwaki looks for his second since coming of the bench, hitting a poor clearance from Congo first time, but Mafoumbi has it covered.

SUB! It's a final change for Congo Dr as Nelson Munhanga replaces Cedric Makiadi.

Mbokani will not be denied as he holds off some physical marking from Baudry and Moubhio to squeeze a shot beneath Mafoumbi to surely book a semi-final spot for Congo DR.

So Congo DR stage a remarkable comeback to reach the semi-finals in the Africa Cup of Nations at the expense of neighbours Congo. Both sets of players are clearly emotional as the full-time whistle is blown.

Next up for Congo DR will be the winner of the quarter-final between Ivory Coast and Algeria, which takes place tomorrow.

That's all from Bata for now, but join us again later to see whether Equatorial Guinea can join Congo DR in the semis. Until then, thanks for joining me this evening. Goodbye!