Yoane Wissa helped book DR Congo a trip to the Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals with a second-half spot-kick in their 3-1 last-eight victory over Guinea.

The Syli National had hoped to move one step closer to securing a first-ever trophy in the continental competition, and took an early lead through Mohamed Bayo’s penalty.

DR Congo captain Chancel Mbemba levelled things up before the break, after which Brentford’s Wissa took full advantage of Julian Jeanvier’s punishment with a powerful penalty of his own.

Arthur Masuaku netted the Leopards’ third directly from a late free-kick to wrap up the win and set up a final-four encounter with either Mali or tournament hosts Ivory Coast on Wednesday.

It was a lively start from Guinea, who quickly broke into their opponents’ penalty area and shouted for a handball when the ball bounced off the upper arm of Mbemba, with VAR ruling the contact was innocent.

Miscommunication between Guinea keeper Ibrahim Kone and defender Mouctar Diakhaby nearly spelled danger, both thinking the other had a handle on a loose ball, but Wissa could not capitalise on the early chance and fired wide.

Samuel Moutoussamy tried next for DR Congo, finding himself in plenty of space but only able to muster a weak effort, Diakhaby redeeming himself with the clearance.

Bayo toppled down inside the 18-yard box after making contact with Mbemba and, after some time, Algerian referee Mustapha Ghorbal pointed to the spot despite protests from the DR Congo players and manager Sebastien Desabre.

Bayo did not waste the chance, sending Lionel Mpasi the wrong way with a strike to the top-right corner for the 21st-minute opener.

The sides were back on level terms just six minutes later, when Guinea could not fully clear Masuaku’s corner and it proved costly when Marseille man Mbemba reacted quickly and lashed home the equaliser.

The Leopards had a chance to take a late first-half lead when Masuaku floated in a free-kick from the left touchline, narrowly missing Cedric Bakambu’s outstretched boot.

DR Congo had the better early chances after the break, but neither side could find a way to break the deadlock by the hour mark, when both managers made changes and Guinea substitute Facinet Conte scuppered his chance to make an instant impact.

Less than a minute later, DR Congo’s own substitute Silas Katompa Mvumpa was brought down by Jeanvier and Wissa stepped up, calmly powering past Ibrahim Kone as his side took a 65th-minute lead.

It was all over when  Masuaku’s 82nd-minute free-kick dipped under the crossbar and in.

DR Congo coach Sebastien Desabre has told his players only hard work will help them achieve their Africa Cup of Nations dream as they set their sights on a place in the semi-finals.

Desabre’s side face Guinea at the Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara on Friday having progressed to the last eight without winning a single game in 90 minutes.

However, he is confident their industry and motivation can prolong their stay in Ivory Coast, with either the hosts or Mali awaiting the victors.

Desabre told a press conference: “The team is highly motivated. We know we can achieve more in this tournament, which for me is not the AFCON of surprises, but of hard work.

“The boys are on a mission and we will not give up under any circumstances.”

The Leopards emerged from Group F as runners-up having drawn all three of their games – against Zambia, Morocco and Tanzania – and needed keeper Lionel Mpasi to hold his nerve to convert the decisive spot-kick to seal an 8-7 penalty shoot-out victory over Egypt in the last 16.

Guinea have made it to the quarter-finals despite finishing only third in Group C behind Senegal and Cameroon, who have both since gone out of the competition.

Mohamed Bayo’s header in the eighth minute of stoppage time secured a 1-0 victory over 10-man Equatorial Guinea to book their place in the last eight and boost their hopes of a first semi-final berth since 2015.

Coach Kaba Diawara said: “We are ready for the battle, both mentally and physically. We entered this AFCON conditioned to play seven finals.

“If it comes to penalties, we will go for it.”

The sides have met in the tournament three times in the past, all at the group stage, and DR Congo are yet to taste victory, losing 2-1 in the last encounter in 2004.

The National Elephants could be boosted by the return of Werder Bremen’s former Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita and on-loan Stuttgart striker Serhou Guirassy from injury.

Mohamed Bayo scored a last-gasp winner to send Guinea into the last eight of the Africa Cup of Nations with a 1-0 win over 10-man Equatorial Guinea.

A poor-quality game looked destined for extra time in Abidjan when Bayo headed home from Ibrahim Diakite’s cross with just 22 seconds remaining in the last of eight minutes of stoppage time.

The majority of that time had come from a lengthy VAR check which eventually saw Equatorial Guinea awarded a penalty for a foul by Sekou Sylla on Iban Salvador, only for captain Emilio Nsue to hit the base of a post with his spot-kick.

An early shot narrowly wide from Bayo was the only attempt on goal worthy of mention in an otherwise turgid first half, but the game sprang to life in the second period.

Nsue failed to make the most of a fortunate ricochet just two minutes after the interval as he volleyed wastefully over the bar from 10 yards, while Guinea briefly thought they had broken the deadlock when Mory Konate headed home from a free-kick in the 53rd minute.

The flag was instantly, and correctly, raised for offside, however, but Guinea were handed a man advantage just two minutes later when Federico Bikoro was shown a red card for a high-footed challenge which delivered a painful blow to Bayo’s ribs.

Equatorial Guinea could have been forgiven for playing for extra time but should instead have taken the lead from the penalty spot after Sylla’s foul on Salvador was eventually confirmed following a VAR check.

That gave Nsue the chance to net his sixth goal of the tournament but, after sending goalkeeper Ibrahim Kone the wrong way, the veteran forward could only look on in despair as his shot hit the base of a post.

Despite their numerical advantage Guinea rarely looked like scoring and Jesus Owono comfortably tipped over substitute Serhou Guirassy’s 82nd-minute header, but the deadlock was finally broken in dramatic fashion with Bayo in the perfect place to head a deserved winner.