Serhou Guirassy and Guinea are in the quarter-finals of the 34th Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast and the Democratic Republic of Congo is also there.
In the round of 16, the Guinean team led by the top scorer of the Bundesliga soccer club VfB Stuttgart prevailed 1-0 (0-0) against the surprise team Equatorial Guinea on Sunday (January 28, 2024) after a last-minute goal. In the quarter-finals, Guinea will now face DR Congo, who eliminated record winners Egypt 8-7 (1-1, 1-1, 0-0) on penalties in their round of 16.
Bayo header makes Guinea celebrate
After a goalless first half, Equatorial Guinea’s Federico Bikoro was shown a red card for serious foul play (55th minute). But even with one player less, the outsider had a great chance to take the lead – but Emilio Nsue shot a penalty kick onto the post according to video evidence (68th).
In the eighth minute of injury time, Guinea’s Mohamed Bayo decided the game with a header.
Congo’s goalkeeper Mpaszi-Nzau becomes a hero
In Egypt’s victory, Congo initially took the lead through Meshack Elia (37th), but Mostafa Mohamed (45th + 1) equalized with a penalty in stoppage time. In the second half, both teams struggled on offense. When Egypt’s Mohamed Hamdi (97th) received a yellow-red card in extra time, Congo had the chance to decide the game. But the team around substitute Stuttgart professional Silas lacked the ultimate determination.
So the decision had to be made on penalties. After 16 shots with one miss on each side, Egypt’s goalkeeper aimed over the box and his opposite number Lionel Mpasi-Nzau then converted to make it 8:7.