The DR Congo defeated Egypt through attrition. At the end of extra time (1-1) and an extended penalty shootout (8-7), during which the goalkeepers presented themselves at the penalty spot, the Leopards won in San Pedro to win their ticket for quarters.
Published on: 01/29/2024 – 00:12 Modified on: 01/29/2024 – 00:28
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From our special correspondent at Stade Laurent Pokou,
What could we expect from two teams who didn’t win a single match in the group stage? Answer: extra time and a penalty shootout, certainly the Egyptians’ favorite exercise. But not this Sunday evening.
When CAN 2022 in Cameroon, in the knockout matches, the Pharaohs had three penalty shootouts, including the final won by Senegal, with Mohamed Abou Gabal, better known as Gabaski, in the cages. After an interminable session, it was this same Gabaski who missed his duel against Lionel Mpasi by catapulting the leather onto the crossbar. The stadium exulted when the Congolese goalkeeper scored his goal and sent the RDC in the quarter-finals, after 50 years of frustration against theEgypt.
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The Leopards started the proceedings well with the opening score in the first period. While Yoane Wissa saw his cross blocked by Ahmed Hegazy, Meschack Elia brought the San Pedro stadium to its feet with a diving header from close range (37th). Against all expectations, the DRC, considered an outsider for this round of 16, went ahead.
Egypt, which must deal with notable absentees, including star Mohamed Salah, goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy and midfielder Emam Ashour, is affected, but not sunk. Nantes’ Mostafa Mohamed took advantage of a penalty to score his fourth goal in the competition (45th +1) and equalize. A foul by Stéphanois Dylan Batubinsika in his area, who defended with an elbow in the face of Egyptian captain Ahmed Hegazy, allowed the Pharaohs to set the record straight.
Everything remained to be done for the DRC, which had been seeking a victory against the Pharaohs since 1974. Fifty years of famine do not disappear so easily. And normal time was not enough for the Congolese to conclude the debates, while the Pharaohs had reduced to ten in the 97th minute. The suspense lasted for a very long time in San Pedro, until the late deliverance.
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2024-01-28 23:12:00
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