AFCON Shock: DR Congo Upsets Egypt in Penalty Shootout to Secure Quarterfinal Spot

In a stunning turn of events at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), DR Congo caused a major upset by eliminating seven-time champions Egypt in a thrilling penalty shootout on Sunday.

Ranked 67th globally by FIFA, DR Congo emerged as the underdogs entering the round of 16 clash at the Laurent Pokou stadium. Meschack Elia’s 37th-minute header provided an early lead for the Leopards, showcasing their determination against one of the tournament favorites.

Egypt retaliated swiftly, with Mostafa Mohamed converting a penalty just before the first-half stoppage time after a foul on Ahmed Hegazy by Dylan Batubinsika. The teams remained deadlocked in the second half, pushing the match into extra time.

Two minutes into the second half of extra time, Egypt faced a setback as Mohamed Hamdi received a second yellow card, leaving them with one player less. Despite the numerical disadvantage, Egypt managed to force the game into a penalty shootout.

However, the North African side’s hopes were dashed when goalkeeper Mohamed Gabal missed the final penalty, allowing DR Congo’s Lionel Mpasi-Nzau to secure a quarterfinal berth with a calm and composed finish.

DR Congo will now square off against the National Elephants of Guinea, who secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Equatorial Guinea on the same day. These two teams join Angola, Nigeria, and Guinea in the list of the first four to secure spots in the AFCON quarterfinals. The tournament continues to deliver unexpected twists and intense matchups, keeping fans on the edge of their seats.