Tunisia were leading 1-0 in the final minute of the tie on Saturday (January 31) before the official pointed to the spot adjudging that Ali Maaloul had fouled Ivan Bolado, resulting in an Equatorial Guinea equaliser, with the hosts proceeding to take the lead in extra-time and advancing to the semi-finals at their expense.

The contentious decision infuriated the Tunisian players and staff alike, and prompted their coach George Leekens to state that "the result was forced", while the referee requiring security to intervene as he left the field accosted by incensed Tunisian players.

The penalty decision was not the only controversial moment of the match, with Tunisia being accused of over the top fouling and play acting, while Equatorial Guinea defender Sipo was alleged to have spat at Tunisia's Wahbi Khazri.

The defender could be set to miss the semi-final, but Tunisia maintain that the hosts received favourable treatment to advance to that stage.

Tunisian Football Federation President Wadie Jary has resigned from his position on the Africa Cup of Nations Organising Committee - a position he has held since 2013 - in protest at the controversial decision, the second soft penalty the hosts have received on their unlikely run to the later stages.

Tunisia coach George Leekens stated that "the result was forced" following his sides defeat ©AFP/Getty Images



Equatorial Guinea were late entrants into the 2015 edition of the tournament, being reinstated as hosts, despite having been disqualified from the qualifying competition, after Morocco pulled out of staging the event over Ebola fears.

Their run to the semi-final now appears to be overshadowed by the penalty controversy, but the hosts, who entered the tournament ranked 118th in the FIFA World Rankings, have become the lowest ranked team to reach this stage of the tournament in the history of the African Cup of Nations.

Equatorial Guinea coach Esteban Becker will lead his side out for a semi-final clash against Ghana on Thursday (February 5), just weeks after taking over the role.

They will face the Black Stars on Thursday for the right to play in the final after the Ghanaian team, bidding to win their first title since 1982, swept past Guinea 3-0 in their quarter-final.

Wednesday's semi-final will see two-time winners the Democratic Republic of Congo face the Ivory Coast, who are bidding for their second triumph, having won the competition back in 1992.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
January 2015: Ghana through to fifth consecutive Africa Cup of Nations semi-final after Atsu double
January 2015: DR Congo claim incredible comeback victory over neighbours Congo to reach Africa Cup of Nations semi-final
January 2015: Guinea survive African Nations Cup lottery to go through as Mali are eliminated
January 2015: Lots to decide whether Mali or Guinea progress to Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals
January 2015: Congo and Equatorial Guinea earn surprise African Cup of Nations quarter-final berths