The ongoing AFCON 2023 has not seized to entertain football fans and enthusiasts, especially with the exit of seven-time champions Egypt, who were surprisingly sent out of the tournament by Democratic Republic of Congo on Sunday.
DR Congo’s win against Egypt was crowned with the efforts of Goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi who scored the 18th penalty of shoot-out after both teams played a 1-1 draw.
It was a highly competitive match from the start but Meschack Elia nodded in Yoane Wissa’s cross to put Dr Congo team ahead.
Nine minutes later, Mostafa Mohamed converted a penalty on the stroke of half-time after Ahmed Hegazi was caught by a flailing arm from Dylan Batubinsika.
Unfortunately, left-back Mohamed Hamdy was shown a second yellow card seven minutes into extra time for a mistimed lunge on Simon Banza. The made Egypt finished with 10 men.
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.
Interestingly, Egypt suffered the same fate as they did in the 2021 final, when they were beaten on penalties by Senegal.
Rui Vitoria’s team ended the tournament winless, In the absence of injured captain Mohamed Salah.
