Good afternoon! Ghana and Guinea will both be hoping to seal a place in the Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals when they go head to head shortly. Host nation Equatorial Guinea awaits the winner of this afternoon's match in the last four.

GHANA STARTING XI: Brimah, Afful, Baba Rahman, Jonathan Mensah, Boye, Afriyie Acquah, Wakaso, Andre Ayew, Atsu, Gyan, Kwesi Appiah

GUINEA STARTING XI: Naby, Camara, Sankoh, Paye, Cisse, Fofana, Constant, Razzagui Camara, Traore, Conte, Yattara

Ghana are without Daniel Amartey, who limped out of the win over South Africa earlier this week. Asamoah Gyan continues as captain after shaking off a bout of malaria that forced him to miss the start of the campaign, while Andre Ayew is preferred to brother Jordan alongside the captain up front.

The good news for Guinea is that Ibrahima Traore has recovered from a knock that forced him off against Mali. Florentin Pogba is absent though, having returned to his club with a thigh injury, while captain Kamil Zayatte misses out again with a calf injury. Traore deputises in the defender's absence.

After his side needed some luck in the drawing of lots to reach this stage, Guinea coach Michael Dussuyer told reporters: "When we found out it was us, there was a great explosion of joy. But, of course, I had a thought for the Malians. It is tough, because they also deserved to go through. They missed a penalty against us and then they go out on a drawing of lots. Luck was on our side. But if we have got to the quarter-finals it is because we deserved to somewhere."

Meanwhile, Ghana coach Avram Grant said at his press conference: "I can say there is a lot of talent here, very, very good players, quality in the highest level. The quality of the players is good, the quality of the games is good also. There have been many, many good games, which in a tournament you cannot take for granted. We need to think about all possibilities, but I suggest not to take the past as a fact. There are things in the past that were not so good, so we try to improve them."

In the event that this match ends in a draw, there will be extra time and, if necessary, penalties. Equatorial Guinea, who await the winner of this tie in the semis, needed extra time to beat Tunisia, but there hasn't been a penalty shootout so far in this tournament.

Guinea and Ghana have met five times before at AFCON, and Guinea have never come away with the win, but this will be there first meeting in the knockout stages of the tournament.

Guinea have reached the last eight without actually winning a match. Congo DR were the same, but they broke their duck with a 4-2 win over neighbours Congo yesterday.

The players are on the pitch ready for kickoff, with the anthems from both nations being played before the action can get underway.

KICKOFF! Guinea get the match underway.

Yattara comes under pressure in the Guinea goal early on as he takes a little too long to clear a loose ball, but just gets it clear before Appiah arrives. Ibrahima Conte tries to create something down the other end, but it's swiftly dealt with by Mensah.

Well that didn't take very long! It's a fantastic team effort from Ghana to open the scoring with less than four seconds on the clock. Andre Ayew makes a break down the left and crosses in for Gyan, who backheels it into the path of Atsu, leaving the on-loan Everton winger to power it home from close range.

CHANCE! Ghana are on the attack again as Atsu turns provider, pulling the ball back from the right looking for Ayew, but Fode Camara was on hand to make the block for Guinea.

Guinea win a free kick just outside the box as Jonathan Mensa grabs Idrissa Sylla and pulls him down just outside the box. Ibrahima Traore lines it up out wide on the edge of the area, but his powerful, sliced delivery ends up is the side-netting. It was a solid effort from the Guinea captain, but not enough to get them back on level terms.

Ghana are quickly back down the other end with Wakaso and Acquah trying to get involved in the attack, but Fode Camara was on hand again for another vital block. Ghana never quite looked at their best in the group stages, but they've certainly made an impressive start this afternoon.

Guinea's first shot of the afternoon from open play comes from Idrissa Sylla as a long ball forward from the keeper falls to the winger just outside the box, but his first-touch effort is well wide of the goal.

Guinea are starting to see a bit more of the ball now, and Kevin Constant tries to set something up with a quick run down the let flank before squaring it for Sylla, but the winger is caught in two minds, unsure whether to shoot or look from Traore, and he ends up blasting the ball over.

BOOKING! Kevin Constant is the first player to be shown the yellow card for a late challenge on Afful.

Ghana are pressing again and win a free kick around 25 yards out, which Appiah curls in, but Mubarak Wakaso of Celtic headed the ball well wide of the target. The powerful winger hasn't found the back of the net yet at this tournament.

Gyan is quickly back on the attack for Ghana, but he can't get the ball to Appiah. However, the Black Stars are give a free kick just outside the box for a late and high challenge on Ayew. It's a promising position for Ghana, but Mensah's delivery was also rising, and ends up going behind.

CHANCE! Appiah sends in a superb high ball for Gyan, but the captain can't quite jump high enough to get his header away.

Gyan is running at the Guinea goal again and draws the keeper off the line, but Sankho is back to help Yattara out, and manages to block the ball on the line. Ghana soon have another opportunity as Ayew is caught by another high foot, but Wakaso's delivery towards John Boye is wasted as the defender loses his footing.

BOOKING! Yattara picks up a stupid booking as he needlessly pushes Atsu over while the goalscorer is waiting to take a free kick on the edge of the box. The Everton man has his back to the keeper, and didn't see the reckless shove coming. That's a crazy moment from the Guinea keeper.

Guinea are making another push to try and find an equaliser, but Sylla's ball forward for Conte is intercepted by Rahman to ensure that Brimah Razak remains something of a spectator in the Ghana goal.

CHANCE! Ghana are quickly on the counter-attack, with Appiah sprinting through midfield before providing the through-ball for Gyan, but the striker's finish lacks power, and it straight at the Guinea keeper.

Traore makes a superb run for Guinea, taking it down towards the Ghana box before pulling it back for Sylla. The striker quickly plays it back to the captain, but Traore wasn't ready for it, and the ball ends up going behind for a goal kick.

A defensive howler from Guinea has allowed Ghana to double their lead. Guinea are briefly down to 10 as Sylla is on the sideline receiving treatment. They have a throw in, but Conte throws is back towards Paye, allowing Appiah to sneak in and steal the ball, and with only the keeper to beat he calmly slots it into the bottom corner.

SUB! To make matters worse, Sylla can't continue for Guinea, so Mohamed Yattara is on in his place.

So goals from Kwesi Appiah and Christian Atsu at the start and end of the first half leave Ghana just 45 minutes away from a place in the semi-finals at this year's Africa Cup of Nations. Ghana haven't dominated like they threatened to in the first 10 minutes, but they've made the most of their chances.

Here are some of the other numbers from the first half. Guinea actually had a little more of the ball than their opponents, with 55%. However, Ghana had twice as many shots with four, three of which were on target, compared to just two for Guinea, neither of which tested the keeper.

Losing Idrissa Sylla before the break will be a blow for Guinea. Although he spurned a couple of half-chances in the opening 45 minutes, he had looked pacy, and could have caused problems if he'd had a bit more service from his teammates.

This isn't the only quarter-final taking place today. We'll have live coverage of the clash between two of the pre-tournament favourites, Ivory Coast and Algeria, as they kickoff at 7.30pm

The players are back out ready for the second half.

KICKOFF! Ghana get the match back underway.

CHANCE! Guinea come out fighting, with Traore crossing the ball in towards Abdoul Camara, but the midfielder's header is well wide.

BOOKING! Fode Camara is the third Guinea player to be shown a yellow as he trips Asamoah Gyan while the Ghana captain is racing towards goal. It also gives Ghana a free kick in a dangerous position.

Gyan's delivery from the set piece is poor though as he blasts it straight into the wall, allowing Abdoulaye Cisse to get the ball away.

Mubarak Wakaso sends a long ball forward looking for Gyan again, but the striker isn't able to control it before it goes behind. After a promising start to the second half from Guinea, Ghana have started to dictate the match again.

Baba Rahman is brought down by Cisse just outside the box to leave Wakaso lining up the ball on the edge of the box. He curls it in, but Constant clears it for Guinea.

SUB! Guinea make their second change of the match as Kevin Constant makes way for Naby Keita.

Guinea manage to force a free kick in a similar position to the one just taken by Ghana. Traore goes for goal, looking to squeeze it in the top corner, but he can't force the first save of the day from Razak.

What a sensational strike from Christian Atsu! The winger has the ball outside the box to the right of the goal, and has teammates arriving, but he goes for goal himself, curling it perfectly into the top corner to leave the Guinea keeper rooted to the spot. That has to be one of the best goals of the tournament so far!

Guinea are trying to get the ball down the other end as they try to give themselves some hope of an unlikely comeback, but they're looking disjointed and disorganised.

Ghana are looking for a fourth as Rahman comes forward to fire a cross in towards Gyan, but Sankho is there to make the clearance. Wakaso attempts to fire it in from range after winning it back in midfield, but his effort is well high.

BOOKING! Mohamed Fofana goes in the book for a late challenge on Gyan. The incident angers players from both teams and there's a bit of a skirmish between the two sides, with plenty of pushing and shoving as tempers flare, but the referee quickly controls it.

Ayew wins a free kick near the sideline around 20 yards out, and Wakaso whips it in, finding an unmarked Gyan in space, but the captain's final touch is lacking, and he slices it well high. The striker is often a talisman for Ghana, but his efforts in the box have looked just a fraction below par today.

Brimah Razak must have been bored as he comes well off his line to try and punch a harmless-looking Guinea cross, but he almost loses out to Fofana in the air, but gets it clear at the second time of asking.

Ghana are soon on the counter-attack with Appiah flicking the ball on for Gyan, but the striker has Paye and Fofana for company on the edge of the box, and he loses out before he can get the shot away. Meanwhile, it looks like Christian Atsu is starting to struggle with cramp.

CHANCE! It just doesn't seem to be Asamoah Gyan's day today. He tries to head in from an Ayew cross, but nods it comfortably wide.

SUB! Ghana make their first change, and it's the cramping Christian Atsu who makes way after scoring twice. Frank Acheampong takes his place.

SUB! Meanwhile, Guinea make their last change, replacing Abdul Camara with Francois Kamano.

It looks like Guinea have all but given up as Cisse leaves Acheampong unmarked in the box, but the substitute's header is just deflected behind. Appiah looks to get involved as the ball is played back in, but he and Ayew are both offside.

SUB! Ghana are making another change, with Mohammed Rabiu taking the place of Afriyie Acquah.

Ghana are really just looking to run down the remaining time now as they cruise towards a spot in the last four. They let Guinea force a corner, but Fofana's delivery goes straight out for a goal kick. The luck that saw Guinea win the drawing of the lots has definitely run out.

BOOKING! Djibril Paye gets frustrated with Ayew's showboating and clatters into the Ghana man, earning himself a booking.

Afful and Acheampong link up on the edge of the box as they try to set up a fourth late on, but Fofana eventually makes the clearance for Guinea, and actually breaks down the other end with a stunning sprint through the middle. That kind of move has really been lacking from Guinea this afternoon.

There's a bit of confusion as the referee gives Guinea a free kick for timewasting by the Ghana keeper, but Razak had already rolled the ball out of the box. As a result, the keeper as given Guinea a free kick inside the box, which ultimately leads to nothing.

CHANCE! Andre Ayew sprints towards the Guinea goal as Ghana counter-attack following the free kick incident, and Acheampong flicks it forward, but Ayew can't get the shot away.

RED CARD! Brimah Razak is off as he up-ends Gyan as the striker tries to round the keeper. They've used all the subs, so Abdoulaye Cisse will have to go in goal to defend the free kick. A bit of a brawl ensues as Ghana are unhappy that Gyan has been injured by the challenge, which was an absolute shocker.

So Ghana will have a chance to add a fourth from the resulting free kick. Gyan appears to have recovered, but there's a delay as Cisse puts on the keeper's shirt and gloves.

CHANCE! Ayew squares it to Rabiu, who is unmarked, but he somehow manages to slice it well high from just a couple of yards out. That would surely have been easier to score than miss!

Despite some late drama, it's a relatively straight-forward day's work for Ghana as they ease into the semi-finals at the Africa Cup of Nations, where a clash with host nation Equatorial Guinea awaits.

That's all from this match, but join us again in around an hour as Ivory Coast and Algeria face off for the final place in the last four. Until then, thanks for joining me this evening. Goodbye.