Record holders Egypt eliminated from Africa Cup of Nations

By Can Erozden

Record seven-time champions Egypt were eliminated from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after losing to the Democratic Republic of Congo on penalties in a Sunday last 16 match.

Meschack Elia scored the opener for DR Congo in the 37th minute in the match at Stade Laurent Pokou in San-Pedro, Ivory Coast.

Egypt's Mostafa Mohamed, a former forward for Turkish club Galatasaray, leveled the match in stoppage time in the first half.

The regular 90 minutes and extra time ended 1-1, so a penalty shootout decided the winning team.

In extra time, Egyptian player Mohamed Hamdy was sent off after a foul.

DR Congo won 8-7 on penalties to reach the quarterfinals.

Mohamed, who scored the equalizer for Egypt in regular time, missed his penalty before DR Congo's Arthur Masuaku sent the ball over the bar during the penalty shootout.

Both teams kept scoring until Egyptian goalkeeper Gabaski missed his penalty.

DR Congo goalie Lionel Mpasi-Nzau converted his penalty successfully to make it 8-7 and sent his team to the next round.

Egypt, who last won the AFCON title in 2010, returned home.

DR Congo will play against Guinea in a Friday quarterfinal match in Abidjan.

Earlier Sunday, Guinea eliminated AFCON's surprise contenders Equatorial Guinea 1-0 as Mohamed Bayo scored a very late winner.