With their victory against Egypt in their last-16 match on Sunday, DR Congo has secured their spot in the Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinals.
Meschack Elia quickly surged forward for Congo, setting up the first meaningful assault of the match as he rushed towards the Egypt box. But he completely mishit his shot, sending it upward and high.
The Central Africans managed to create a few more opportunities, but they were unable to find the back of the net, and with their opponents having far more time on the ball, it seemed inevitable that their early carelessness would catch up with them.
But Elia’s close-range header from a deflected Yoane Wissa pass gave the Leopards the advantage and ended the tie.
Seen through a VAR review, Dylan Batubinsika’s challenge for a header, in which he caught Ahmed Hegazy with his forearm, gave Egypt a chance to equalize just before halftime six minutes later. With a stride forward, Mostafa Mohamed scored his fourth goal of the competition and converted the penalty kick.
Elia whipped in a cross to the front post, but Cedric Bakambu was unable to direct it on goal, and DR Congo came out swinging in the second half.
Chancel Mbemba raced in to meet a corner that had been delivered flying into the Egypt box, only to send it over the bar. Egypt’s first opportunity of the half came in the sixtyth minute when Zizo was supplied by Hamdi Fathy, but his shot was saved. Mahmoud Hamada had a great opportunity to score a late goal, but he was unable to handle the ball after Mohamed Hany put it into a dangerous position with time running down. Yet after ninety minutes, there was no clear winner, and extra time was required. The players on both teams were tired for the following thirty minutes, barely displaying any desire to secure a victory.
Lionel Mpasi’s winning spot-kick put DR Congo through to the quarterfinals following nine rounds of penalties.
With playmaker Gael Kakuta out due to injury, it was anticipated that DR Congo would struggle to create opportunities against Egypt’s defense. But Elia was really good at generating chances and seizing them when they presented themselves.
After starting against DR Congo, Trezeguet looked like an entirely different player—despite being the hero when he came off the bench to lead his team to the crucial draw that secured their spot in the round of sixteen. The club sorely needed someone to bring the type of spark that he failed to offer.
Salah’s dreams of making a late comeback to the event following an injury have now completely evaporated. The Leopards will now play Guinea in the quarterfinals of the competition. On February 2, that match will be place at Alassane Ouattara Stadium.
(Goal)
