As the DR Congo eliminates Egypt in a thrilling penalty shootout, Mo Salah’s AFCON dream comes to an end

Following Egypt’s elimination from the Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday in a thrilling penalty shootout loss to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, while Guinea advanced to the round of eight, the injured Mohamed Salah will not have the opportunity to play again.

record-setting seven-time winners Egypt’s match against the Congolese concluded 1-1 at the conclusion of extra time in their last-16 match, and they lost 8-7 on penalties.

In the 37th minute, Meschack Elia gave the Democratic Republic of the Congo the lead in the Ivorian beach city of San Pedro. However, in first-half stoppage time, Mostafa Mohamed equalized for Egypt from the penalty spot.

In the first half of extra time, Mohamed Hamdy was sent off for a second booking, but Egypt managed to hold on for a shoot-out without any further goals.

Two years ago, at the most recent Cup of Nations in Cameroon, they fell to Senegal in the final on penalties after three shootouts in four knockout matches.

The Pharaohs’ second kick was missed by Mohamed, but Arthur Masuaku wasted the Leopards’ next opportunity.

After Egypt’s tenth penalty was saved by goalie Mohamed Abou Gabal, often known as Gabaski, Congolese ‘keeper Lionel Mpasi made no errors to send DR Congo to the quarterfinals.

The Egyptians, who had traveled to Ivory Coast with the goal of winning their first Cup of Nations since 2010, the year before Salah made his senior international debut, find this to be a bitter pill.

However, they finished third in their group and lost the top player for Liverpool to a hamstring injury in their second match against Ghana.

His ambition of winning the championship with his nation is now shelved. He had returned to his club to complete his treatment, hoping to be able to return for the latter rounds of the campaign.

DR Congo hasn’t triumphed in a knockout tie in the competition since making it to the semifinals in 2015.

The French second-tier player Mpasi, a former Paris Saint-Germain prospect, told broadcaster Canal Plus Afrique, “We practised penalties a lot in training over the last few days and I knew I would need to be ready.”

“I saw Gabaski was a little uneasy while we were gazing at each other with the camera.

“I just tried to remain calm when I put the ball on the spot.” I reflected on my most recent penalty, which fortunately ended pleasantly during training.

On Friday, Sebastien Desabre’s squad will travel to Abidjan to play Guinea in the quarterfinals. Guinea had defeated Equatorial Guinea 1-0 earlier in the match, with Mohamed Bayo scoring a thrilling victory in the eighth minute of injury time.

As the game at the Ebimpe Olympic Stadium was about to go into extra time, Bayo of Le Havre, a French club, headed in a cross from Ibrahim Diakite, setting off wild celebrations among the Guinea squad and their sizable fan base in front of 36,340 spectators.

For the Syli National, who had never before won a Cup of Nations knockout tie (they had finished second in 1976, when the last four played a round-robin style to determine the winner of the trophy), it was a momentous event.

It has great significance. As the final whistle blew, Guinea coach Kaba Diawara broke down in tears. “We knew that this could be a historic occasion,” he remarked.

After the 1-0 victory against Gambia during the group stage, he issued an appeal for calm among fans in response to allegations that six people had perished during celebrations in the capital city of Conakry.

That came after a massive explosion and fire at a gasoline store in the city in December that claimed 24 lives and wounded hundreds more.

“We had two tragedies in December, one after the match against the Gambians. That’s sufficient, then. Let’s take it easy and enjoy this,” Diawara said.

Meanwhile, Equatorial Guinea will be left wondering what might have happened if captain Emilio Nsue had not wasted a penalty kick halfway through the second half. Equatorial Guinea had midfielder Federico Bikoro sent off in the 55th minute.

The leading scorer in the tournament missed an opportunity to record his sixth goal in this AFCON after sending his penalty against the post and wide.

On Monday in Yamoussoukro, hosts Ivory Coast will play defending champions Senegal. In Abidjan, Cape Verde will play Mauritania.