The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations witnessed more surprises on Sunday as Egypt, the seventh-time champion and Equatorial Guinea, the giant killers suffered shocking exit in the round of 16.
DR Congo knocked Egypt out in the Round of 16 of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations after long-drawn penalties at Laurent Poku Stadium on Sunday night.
This was as a late winner from Mohamed Bayo sent Guinea into the quarter-final of the 2023 African Cup of Nations, eliminating giant killers- Equatorial Guinea.
Congo won 8-7 with goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi scoring the 18th spot as the Leopards are in search of their first AFCON trophy in 50 years.
The game had finished 1-1 in 120 minutes after extra-time, the first match to go to the lottery in these AFCON finals in Ivory Coast.
Egypt, who started penalties, saw their goalkeeper Abou Gabal miss the crucial spot kick, crashing the crossbar to see them knocked out in the Round of 16.
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The seven-time champions were playing with 10 men after Mohamed Hamdy was sent off in the first half of extra-time.
Congo will now face Guinea, who beat Equatorial Guinea with a late goal, in the quarter-finals on Friday.
Egypt thought they would make three wins on the bounce in beating Congo as they did in the 2019 edition on home soil in the group stages.
Egypt also recorded another victory in the 2006 edition which they also hosted the tournament, with Pharaohs claiming a 4-0 victory in the quarterfinals.
Both sides were coming to this game seeking their first win in this competition in Ivory Coast, having each picked up three draws and finished as runners-up in their groups.
Congo was the first to be presented with a chance to open the scoring in the early stages, but Young Boys striker Meschack Elia blasted his chance widely.
Elia was never denied on the second occasion, nodding a header from close range from Yoane Wissa’s cross that took a huge deflection after 37 minutes.
Egypt appealed to South African referee Abongile Tom that Arthur Masuaku was the one who knocked the ball out, but the former West Ham left-back quickly took the throw instead to punish the Egyptians.
Egypt themselves were given a penalty in the 44th minute when Dylan Batubinsika thought he went for the ball but flung his arm in the face of Ahmed Hegazi.
Mustafa Mohamed slotted the spot kick for an equalizer to net his fourth goal in the tournament.
The second half brought no goalmouth actions, and this match became the first in these finals to go to extra-time.
Hamdy, brought on in the second half, was sent off in the 97th minute in extra-time following a tackle on Simon Banza.
Tired legs and minds appeared evident in both teams and penalties looked like they would decide who would reach the quarter-finals.
In the early stages of the second half of extra-time, Masuaku delivered a dangerous cross inside the box, but it eluded everyone, who needed a touch to go in. That was it as the game went to penalties before Mpasi became the Congolese hero.
However, Equatorial Guinea started the game on low note, allowing Guinea to put them under pressure.
After 20 minutes Guinea looked more like a side that could score at any given time, but the game remained without a shot on target.
Referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan blew the half-time whistle both teams going into the break without having a shot on target.
The second half started with both sides looking to get something on the scoresheet. 10 minutes into the second half Equatorial Guinea was reduced to 10-man after Federico Bikoro was sent off.
Equatorial Guinea midfielder Iban Salvador was brought down inside the box in the 66th minute but referee continued with the game. However, the VAR called referee Omar for a check and the Somalian pointed into the spot.
Guinea bump into Quater-finals after beating Equatorial Guinea
AFCON’s leading goal scorer Emilio Nsue stepped up but he only hit the woodwork, and the score remained 0-0, while there were still no shots on target after 75 minutes gone.
Guinea kept on knocking and Mohamed Bayo placed a good header but Awono dealt with it, with only seven minutes to play.
But Guinea snatched it right at the death. Ibrahim Diakite played a lovely cross and Bayo headed home at the near post, which resulted in wild emotions on both sides, with Guinea celebrating while EQ. Guinea were left in tears.
Guinea advance to the quarter-finals, where they will face a winner between Egypt and DR Congo.
