And now another good chance for DR Congo, who are definitely on top at the moment. Cedric Makiadi bustles down the right flank and cuts the ball back for Jeremy Bokila, who stings the gloves of Christopher Mafoumbi from 12 yards.

A deflected cross forces Congo's Boris Moubhibo to concede a corner rather untidily. The initial delivery is cleared only as far as corner-taker Cedric Makiadi, who fizzes a superb volleyed cross that Chancel Mbemba heads over.

And now Yannick Bolasie has a go for the Leopards. Congo goalkeeper Christopher Mafoumbi didn't look entirely convincing in the group games, and he was caught off his line here as Bolasie cut infield and curled a dipping effort just onto the roof of the net. Decent try.

A relatively quiet start in Bata, with both teams feeling each other out. DR Congo look to have settled into their passing rhythm slightly better, and Dieumerci Mbokani's strength is posing problems for the Congolese defenders as he chases long balls down the channels.

Image source, AP

You have been having your say on today's games on the BBC Love African Football Facebook page., external

David Sheekey: DR Congo should have too much class. That said the Republic Of Congo have showed that they don`t lack in fighting spirit. In the other match Tunisia to go through comfortably.

Mawel Chol Mawel: In Kampala... DRC and Tunisia are absolutely advancing to the semis tonight.

BBC World Service's Matthew Kenyon in Bata

"Crystal Palace winger Yannick Bolasie is sitting back a little in this DR Congo midfield on the left-hand side."

And now a first shot for DR Congo. A free-kick is clipped into the area, brawny striker Dieumerci Mbokani rises highest but can't get his header on target.

BBC Radio
BBC Radio

Matthew Kenyon and Piers Edwards are commentating on today's games live for BBC World Service - you can hear this on your wireless if you are in Africa.

We will bring you their thoughts on the game throughout our live text today.

An early sight of goal for Congo's Arnold Moutou, who trundles forward unchallenged from halfway and decides to have a pop. His effort is well over.

Who do you fancy to win today's Congo derby? Are either of these sides potential tournament winners?

Can Yannick Bolasie put in a performance of Premier League quality for DR Congo today?

Let us know your thoughts on Twitter (#bbcafcon2015) or on our BBC Sport Facebook page., external

Here we go - Congo, in red, get us underway. DR Congo are in white.

We're almost ready to go in the Estadio de Bata. The captains go forward to do the honours, giving us a first look at eccentric DR Congo keeper Robert Kidiaba and his ponytail. At 38, Kidiaba is the oldest player in the tournament.

Congo and DR Congo are neighbouring countries in central Africa. DR Congo used to be known as Zaire - which you may remember from their disastrous World Cup appearance in 1974 - but changed its name in 1997 after Laurent-Desire Kabila seized power.

DR Congo are by far the larger nation - with 75 million people to Congo's four million - and historically the more successful on the football pitch.

Just to give added spice to the rivalry, Congo boss Claude LeRoy was in charge of DR Congo from 2004 to 2006 and again from 2011 to 2013.

"We know the team perfectly, but they know us perfectly as well, so there is a good balance between the two sides," LeRoy said.

However, despite the rivalry, there's also a healthy dose of mutual respect between the two countries. As DR Congo coach Florent Ibenge, LeRoy's former assistant, said: "We are the same country separated by a river. We know our brothers, we are the same people, the same lives."

Congo make one change, with Boris Moubhibo coming in for Francis Nganga. DR Congo make two tweaks as Gabby Zakuani and Jeremy Bokila replace Joel Kimwaki and Firmin Ndombe Mubele.

Image source, Getty Images

Congo were surprise winners of Group A. The Red Devils drew their first game against Equatorial Guinea, before claiming their first Cup of Nations win since 1974 against Gabon, then shocking 2013 runners-up Burkina Faso in their final match. They are coached by veteran manager Claude Le Roy, who has reached the semi-finals in four of his seven Afcon campaigns so far.

DR Congo were a little convincing in their progress from Group B. The Leopards drew all three of their games, with an equaliser in their final match against Tunisia enough to see them through ahead of Cape Verde on goals scored.

Hello and welcome to live text commentary of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations. Today we kick off the knockout stages with two intriguing quarter-finals.

Later on we'll see if host nation Equatorial Guinea, comfortably the lowest-ranked side at this tournament, can extend their fairytale run as they take on Group B winners Tunisia.

But first up, it's the Congo derby as Claude Le Roy's Congo take on neighbours and near-namesakes DR Congo, who have Crystal Palace's Yannick Bolasie in their ranks.

Image source, Getty Images

Day 15 of the Africa Cup of Nations, and eight teams remain. The knockout stages. The business end. Yet plenty of the teams who have made it this far owe a large debt to Lady Luck.

There's Guinea, who didn't win a match in the group stages and were handed a quarter-final berth courtesy of the drawing of lots.

There's Congo, who lost to Rwanda in qualifying but were handed a reprieve when their opponents were kicked out for fielding an ineligible player.

And then there's the host nation Equatorial Guinea, who were themselves disqualified for fielding an ineligible player in qualifying, before getting a free pass to the tournament when designated hosts Morocco pulled out.

As we move into the cutthroat environment of the quarter-finals, which teams will fortune continue to smile on, and whose luck is about to run out?