Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Africanews
Published on 2024-01-29 13:10:48
Congo pulled off a stunning upset by knocking out seven-time champion Egypt from the Africa Cup of Nations with an 8-7 win on penalties after the teams finished 1-1 after extra time in their round-of-16 match on Sunday.
The match saw Egypt goalkeeper Mohamed Abou Gabal hit the crossbar with his spot kick, while Congo counterpart Lionel Mpasi stepped up to secure the victory for the Leopards.
Abou Gabal, also known as Gabaski, was playing in place of regular goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy, who had dislocated his shoulder in the team’s final group game against Cape Verde. Egypt had already suffered a setback earlier in the tournament when star player Mohamed Salah was sidelined with a hamstring injury.
In a bid to change their luck, the Egyptian Football Association had even resorted to sacrificing a cow just days before the match. However, their efforts were in vain as Congo managed to capitalize on a defensive lapse by the Pharaohs to take the lead with a goal from Meschack Elia in the 37th minute. Egypt managed to equalize from the penalty spot just before halftime through Mostafa Mohamed.
The game went into extra time, with both teams struggling to break the deadlock. Egypt’s woes were compounded when defender Mohamed Hamdy was sent off in the first period of extra time, leaving them with 10 players on the field.
In the decisive penalty shootout, Congo held their nerve as both teams converted their penalties until Abou Gabal missed, allowing Congo to secure the win and advance to the quarterfinals, where they will face Guinea.
The defeat marked the eighth consecutive Africa Cup match that Egypt failed to win in normal time, including the previous tournament. It was a bitter disappointment for the Pharaohs, who had hoped to replicate their previous successes in the competition.
