Egypt were eliminated from the Africa Cup of Nations on penalties to Democratic Republic of Congo in the round of 16 on Sunday night.
2023 Africa Cup of Nations
Result: Egypt 1-1 Congo DR (Congo won 8-7 on penalties)
Date: 28 January 2024
Venue: Stade Laurent Pokou
The Pharaohs were still without talisman Mohamed Salah, who was joined in the injury list by goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy and Eman Ashour.
National Bank of Egypt shot-stopper Gabaski got the nod over Zamalek shot-stopper Mohamed Sobhi and Pyramids goalkeeper Ahmed Al Shenawy while Mohamed Elneny and Trezeguet were recalled.
Egypt showed attacking intent from the first whistle as Ahmed Hegazy almost gave them the lead eight minutes later with a bullet header that sailed narrowly over the crossbar from a cross.
However, the game opened up as Congo also came to the party and midway into the first stanza Theo Bongonda also came close to breaking the deadlock with a strike from the rebound that missed slightly over the crossbar.
Meschack Elia eventually got the breakthrough for the Leopards eight minutes before the break with a close-range header after a cross.
However, Mostafa Mohamed levelled matters for Rui Vitoria's charges on the stroke of half-time after Egypt were given a penalty from a foul in the box following a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review by South African referee Abongile Tom.
DR Congo had a bright start in the second stanza as Cedric Bakambu came close to restoring their lead early on with a strike from the six-yard box that missed narrowly wide after a cross.
Sébastien Desabre's men continued to look more dangerous going forward while Egypt took their time on the ball, as they looked for openings.
Vitoria eventually made an attacking change with six minutes to go, as Omar Marmoush replaced Trezeguet for fresh legs upfront.
The North African giants pressurized Congo in the dying minutes but the Leopards were equally resistant and the sides went to extra-time after they were tied 1-1 in regulation time.
Egypt had a bad start in extra-time after they were reduced to ten men seven minutes later following the red-card of Mohamed Hamdi, who picked up his second booking.
DR Congo could not immediately utilize their numerical advantage and only started to pressurize the Pharaohs in the second period of extra-time but they could not get clear-cut chances against Egypt's deep block and in the end penalty shootouts were required after a 1-1 draw in extra-time.
Congo won the penalty shootouts 8-7 in sudden death, after goalkeeper Gabaski crashed the last spot-kick for Egypt into the crossbar and opposition shot-stopper Lionel Mpasi-Nzau converted his last spot-kick for the Leopards.
Congo will meet Guinea in the quarter-finals.
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