Violence mars AFCON semi-final between Ghana and Equatorial Guinea – in pictures

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  Members of the media take cover after Equatorial Guinea fans threw objects during their African Nations Cup semi-final soccer match against Ghana in Malabo February 5, 2015. Violent scenes overshadowed the African Nations Cup semi-final as Ghana reached Sunday?s final with a 3-0 win over hosts Equatorial Guinea on Thursday in a match halted for 34 minutes late in the second half. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh

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  Security personnel take an Equatorial Guinea supporter who stormed the pitch during the African Cup of Nations semifinal soccer match between host Equatorial Guinea and Ghana in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, Thursday, Feb. 5, 2015. With riot police protecting the players from incensed rival fans and using tear gas to disperse troublemakers in the crowd, Ghana advanced to the African Cup of Nations final with a 3-0 win over host Equatorial Guinea on Thursday. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba)

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  Ghana’s midfielder Andre Ayew (2ndR) celebrates after scoring a goal during the 2015 African Cup of Nations semi-final football match between Equatorial Guinea and Ghana in Malabo, on February 5, 2015. AFP PHOTO / ISSOUF SANOGO

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  Ghana’s midfielder Andre Ayew (L) runs with the ball during the 2015 African Cup of Nations semi-final football match between Equatorial Guinea and Ghana in Malabo, on February 5, 2015. AFP PHOTO / ISSOUF SANOGO

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  Equatorial Guinea fans react as a police helicopter hovers over after some of them threw objects during their African Nations Cup semi-final soccer match against Ghana in Malabo February 5, 2015. Violent scenes overshadowed the African Nations Cup semi-final as Ghana reached Sunday?s final with a 3-0 win over hosts Equatorial Guinea on Thursday in a match halted for 34 minutes late in the second half. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh

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  Security officers evacuate a supporter who made his way onto the pitch during the 2015 African Cup of Nations semi-final football match between Equatorial Guinea and Ghana in Malabo, on February 5, 2015. Play was halted eight minutes from time in the Africa Cup of Nations semi-final between hosts Equatorial Guinea and Ghana when missiles were thrown on the pitch. AFP PHOTO / ISSOUF SANOGO

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  A Ghana’s supporter holds her face at the end of the 2015 African Cup of Nations semi-final football match between Equatorial Guinea and Ghana in Malabo, on February 5, 2015. Play was halted eight minutes from time in the Africa Cup of Nations semi-final between hosts Equatorial Guinea and Ghana when missiles were thrown on the pitch. AFP PHOTO / ISSOUF SANOGO

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  Equatorial Guinea fans react as a police helicopter hovers above the stand during the 2015 African Cup of Nations semi-final soccer match against Ghana in Malabo, February 5, 2015. Violent scenes overshadowed the African Nations Cup semi-final as Ghana reached Sunday?s final with a 3-0 win over hosts Equatorial Guinea on Thursday in a match halted for 34 minutes late in the second half. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh

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  Policemen evacuate a tribune during the 2015 African Cup of Nations semi-final football match between Equatorial Guinea and Ghana in Malabo, on February 5, 2015. Play was halted eight minutes from time in the Africa Cup of Nations semi-final between hosts Equatorial Guinea and Ghana when missiles were thrown on the pitch. AFP PHOTO / ISSOUF SANOGO

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  Equatorial Guinea’s defender Rui (R) vies with Ghana’s forward Jordan Ayew (C) during the 2015 African Cup of Nations semi-final football match between Equatorial Guinea and Ghana in Malabo, on February 5, 2015. AFP PHOTO / ISSOUF SANOGO

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  Police shield themselves as Equatorial Guinea's Raul Fabian Bosio, left, and Igor Engonga Noval, appeal to supporters to stop throwing object onto the pitch during their African Cup of Nations Semifinals soccer match with Ghana at Estadio De Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, Thursday Feb. 5, 2015. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba)

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  Security stop an Equatorial Guinea fan on the pitch as he tries to attack the referee during the 2015 African Cup of Nations semi-final soccer match against Ghana in Malabo, February 5, 2015. Violent scenes overshadowed the African Nations Cup semi-final as Ghana reached Sunday?s final with a 3-0 win over hosts Equatorial Guinea on Thursday in a match halted for 34 minutes late in the second half. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh

Equatorial Guinea coach Esteban Becker admitted he was saddened while Ghana star Andre Ayew was bitter over the violence and chaos which overshadowed Thursday’s Africa Cup of Nations semi-final.

Riot police used batons and tear gas to quell violent home supporters who launched missiles and water bottles onto terrified Ghana fans as well as onto the pitch at the 15,000-seater Estadio de Malabo.

The match, which Ghana won 3-0, was stopped in the 82nd minute and was held up for more than 35 minutes as players from both sides sought a safe haven in the centre of the pitch.

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