DR Congo pulled off one of the biggest upsets in Africa Cup of Nations history by knocking out 7-time champions Egypt 8-7 on penalties after a dramatic 1-1 draw in Sunday’s round of 16 clash.
In an epic encounter that went to extra time and featured a lengthy 18-penalty shootout, DR Congo relied on goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi’s heroics as he saved the decisive spot kick to clinch the victory.
Egypt finished with 10 men after left-back Mohamed Hamdy was shown a second yellow card seven minutes into extra time for a mistimed lunge on Simon Banza.
And, after Pharaohs keeper Gabaski had clipped the top of the crossbar in the ninth round of the shoot-out, Mpasi stepped up to win it 8-7 on penalties.
The match saw the Pharaohs struggle without their injured talisman Mohamed Salah, while DR Congo once again embodied the underdog spirit that has lit up this AFCON tournament.
DR Congo drew first blood in the 37th minute when Meschack Elia nodded in Yoane Wissa’s pinpoint cross from the left flank. But the Congolese lead lasted just 9 minutes as Egypt won a penalty after Ahmed Hegazi’s handball, which Mostafa Mohamed calmly converted.
The game soon turned physical with both sides battling intensely in midfield. Egypt lost left-back Mohamed Hamdy to a second yellow card in extra time, forcing them to play the final minutes with 10 men.
Penalties loomed as DR Congo’s Arthur Masuaku and Egypt’s Mohamed blazed early efforts over the bar. But Mpasi and Gabaski traded fine saves to keep their teams alive through 7 rounds.
The shootout reached sudden death with each side converting to pile on the pressure. But Mpasi stood tall when called upon again, diving to his right to deny Egypt’s final penalty and cue wild DR Congo celebrations.
This was a repeat of Egypt’s shootout anguish in the 2021 AFCON final when they fell to Senegal. The Pharaohs missed the cutting edge and leadership of the absent Salah in attack.
But immense credit goes to DR Congo for their tireless display. They fought relentlessly and rode their luck at times against the more fancied opponents.
In the end, Mpasi emerged the shootout hero to cap a landmark result. DR Congo will now believe they can go all the way when they meet Guinea in the quarterfinals.
This clash of differing pedigrees again showed AFCON’s knack for unpredictable drama. DR Congo’s win is the latest triumph of the underdog and continues this tournament’s emergence of new African powers.
DR Congo will play Guinea in the quarter-finals at Abidjan’s Alassane Ouattara Stadium on Friday (20:00 GMT) after the Syli National beat Equatorial Guinea 1-0 earlier on Sunday.
