Mercurial Hearts midfielder Charles Taylor was in devastating form as he powered the local black stars to the semi-finals in the inaugural CHAN tournament, annihilating DR Congo by 3 goals to nil. A well taken trade mark free kick by Taylor and an absolute howler by Muteba Kidiaba in post for DR Congo late in the first half set the Stars up to victory. DR Congo needing just a draw to ensure qualification to the next stage of the competition took the game to the Ghanaians early in the first half, dominating play but created almost next to thing. The Stars even under pressure looked more purposeful and determined, as they ceaselessly pounded the goal area of their opponents. Charles Taylor was denied the opener on two occasions in the first half when his blistering curly free-kick was well dealt with by Kidiaba, but was not lucky the third time as he embarrassingly spilled the shot into his own net. With the threat of elimination staring them in the face, DR. Congo lifted up their game in second half, but once again lacked ideas at the final third of the field. Stars central defenders, Mensah Bonsu and Ofosu Appiah were up to the task as they kept Congolese attack led by Mputu, and Mvete at bay. The Stars, against the run of play increased the tally to two in 68th minute courtesy striker Yaw Antwi. Charles Taylor was once again in the thick of affairs as he shoved off a challenge from the Congolese defender, and cleared the path for Antwi who latched onto the ball and planted it on the blind side of the approaching Kidiabe. Edmund Owusu Ansah got what could best be described as an icing on the cake when he beautifully connected a Rahim Ayew cross from the right on the 80th minute mark. The Stars by the results set a date with Senegal in semi-final stage of the competion on Wednesday. Despite their humiliating defeat, DR Congo will also play Zambia in the second semi-final clash, following a drawn game between Libya and Zimbabwe in the second final Group B match played today. Story by Nathan Gadugah