The Ghana – Equatorial Guinea semi final came to a standstill in the second at 82 minutes, 8 from full time after fans came from the stands onto the pitch.
Centre Referee Eric Otogo-Castane along with assistants Abdelhak Etchiali and Jerson dos Santos agreed to stop the match so as the fans could be chased off.
Security including the police and Army came onto the pitch to stop the advancing fans as helicopters hovered around.
The fans were later expelled before the match was restarted at 90 minutes with added time of three minutes.
The semi-final clash between hosts Equatorial Guinea and Ghana will go down in history as one to have the ugliest scenes in African football
Fans of the tiny west African country failed to control their anger after Ghana led them 3-0. The fans started throwing missiles on the field of play prompting match referee suspend the match.
Goals from the Ayew brothers Jordan and Andre together with another from Mubarak Wakaso had given Ghana a comfortable 3-0 lead.
The match eventually closed out with Ghana winning 3-0 over the hosts to book final spot against Ivory Coast thanks to Jordan Ayew’s 42nd minute strike, Mubarak Wakaso’s goal at the break and Andre Ayew’s tap-in from close range in the 75th minute of the second half.