Algerian super-sub Bouazza dumps out Ivory Coast

 ALGERIA stunned tournament favourites Ivory Coast with a dramatic extra-time quarter-final victory at the African Nations Cup in Cabinda.

HEADS UP: Algeria's Hassen Yebda challenges in the air during the African Cup of Nations quarter-final (Getty Images)

Rabah Saadane's side looked doomed when super-sub Abdulkader Keïta slammed home an 89th minute strike that looked to have secured the Ivorians progress.

But Algeria leveled it in stoppage time to force extra time and substitute Hameur Bouazza, a midfielder with English Championship side Blackpool, netted the decisive strike in the 92nd minute to set up a semi-final with either Egypt or Cameroon.

Chelsea striker Saloman Kalou steered the Ivory Coast ahead after just four minutes, reacting quickly to a rebound after Yaya Toure's initial shot had ricocheted off Rangers defender Madjid Bougherra.

But Ivory Coast paid the price for sitting back and showing a lack of creativity going forward, with Kalou's Stamford Bridge team-mate Didier Drogba enduring a quiet and ineffective evening.

Algeria were tidy and industrious but seemed to lack a cutting edge until they equalised five minutes before half-time with a route one goal.

Bougherra flicked on a long ball and Karim Matmour spun away from Cheik Tiote to hammer a fizzing shot past a flat-footed Boubacar Barry. 

Matmour missed a gilt-edged chance for a second shortly after the restart, volleying over when well-placed.

And chances were few and far between for both sides as extra-time looked increasingly likely.

Vahid Halilhodzic's decision to take off Kalou - his most potent threat - raised eyebrows but it looked inspired in the 89th minute as substitute Keïta slammed home a spectacular rasping shot from 25 yards to seemingly break Algerian hearts.

However, less than 90 seconds later Bougherra made amends for his earlier error, securing extra time by heading home Nadir Belhadj's speculative and hopeful ball into the box.

And just two minutes into extra-time Algeria were ahead, as Bouazza - a 90th minute substitute - found himself free at the far post to nod Karim Ziani's cross past Copa and capitalise on the Ivory Coast's half-hearted defending.

Drogba forced a solid save from Algerian keeper Faouzi Chaouchi with a stinging shot that was his only meaningful contribution while Algeria squandered a succession of chances to make the game safe, as Halilhodzic's side seemed increasingly resigned to their fate.

However, the drama went right to the end, Manchester City's Kolo Toure wheeling away in delight after netting a stoppage time equaliser for the Ivory Coast, only for his effort to be wrongly flagged offside.

Earlier, Rennes striker Asamoah Gyan scored the critical strike as Ghana beat hosts Angola 1-0 to secure their progress to the final four - where they play either Zambia or Nigeria.