The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) pulled off a stunning upset against Egypt in the last 16 of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), winning 8-7 on penalties after the game finished 1-1 following extra time.
The match was a tense affair, with both teams having their chances to win it in normal time. Meschack Elia gave DR Congo the lead in the 37th minute, but Mostafa Mohamed equalized for Egypt just before half-time from the penalty spot.
The game remained deadlocked after extra time, so it went to a penalty shootout. DR Congo held their nerve to convert all eight of their penalties, while Mohamed, who had scored the equalizer for Egypt, missed his spot-kick.
The win was a huge triumph for DR Congo, who had not beaten Egypt in the AFCON since the 1974 semi-finals, when they went on to win the tournament. It was also a major disappointment for Egypt, who were the record seven-time champions and were among the favorites to win the competition.
DR Congo went on to reach the quarter-finals of the AFCON, where they were beaten by Guinea. However, their victory over Egypt will be remembered as one of the biggest upsets in the history of the tournament.
Guinea 1 – 0 Equatorial Guinea
It was drama in Ebimpé! Guinea edged Equatorial Guinea in the 98th-minute AFCON Showdown. Both teams, hungry for glory, fought tooth and nail under the searing sun.
Equatorial Guinea, the surprise package of the tournament, seemed poised for another upset. Their nimble footwork and attacking verve kept the Guinean defense on edge.
Then, in the second half, disaster struck for the National Thunder. A golden opportunity presented itself – a penalty! Captain Emilio Nsue stepped up, the weight of a nation on his shoulders. But his powerful shot cannoned off the upright, echoing the collective groan of the Equatorial Guinean fans.
Hope flickered anew for Guinea. Their talisman, Mohamed Bayo, a force of nature on the pitch, began to weave his magic. He danced past defenders, his eyes laser-focused on the goal. Time seemed to melt away as the match entered stoppage time. And then, in the 98th minute, the roar of the crowd drowned out everything else.
Bayo, towering above the Equatorial Guinean defense, met a lofted cross with a bullet header. The ball ripped through the air, an unstoppable missile, nestling into the back of the net. The stadium erupted! Euphoria cascaded onto the pitch as Bayo, mobbed by his jubilant teammates, became the hero of the hour.
Equatorial Guinea, their dreams shattered, slumped to the ground. Their fairytale run had come to an end, just a hair’s breadth from greatness. But Guinea, fueled by Bayo’s heroics and relentless determination, had defied the odds. They marched on to the quarter-finals, carrying the hopes of a nation on their shoulders, a testament to the never-say-die spirit of African football.
This night in Douala, etched in the annals of AFCON history, was a symphony of emotions – a story of missed chances, unwavering resilience, and ultimately, the triumphant roar of a nation’s dream coming true. It was a night where hope, like a tenacious vine, climbed out of the shadows and blossomed into glorious victory.
The Leopards of the DRC play the national Syli of Guinea on Friday February 2 in the quarter-finals of the African Cup of Nations (CAN 2023).
