AFCON: Egypt beat Ivory Coast 5-4, set up Morocco Q’final clash
The Pharaohs of Egypt on Wednesday beat Cote d’Ivoire 5-4 on penalties in the round of 16 of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) holding in Cameroon.
The game had ended goalless after 120 minutes.
Egypt will now clash with their North African neighbors, Morocco in the quarterfinals.
The Pharaohs got the upper hand in the shoot-out when substitute keeper Gabaski saved Eric Bailly’s effort in the third round of spot-kicks.
Egypt’s captain Mohamed Salah netted the decisive penalty to send the record seven-time champions through to the last eight.
They will now face Morocco, who defeated Malawi on Tuesday, in Yaounde on Sunday.
Equatorial Guinea on the other hand stunned Mali in the other round of 16 tie also on penalty shootout to progress.
Twenty-year-old keeper Jesus Owono was the hero for Equatorial Guinea as he saved twice in the shoot-out to help the Nzalang Nacional go through 6-5 after a goalless 120 minutes.
Initially the referee indicated the decisive kick needed to be taken again, but a review showed Owono’s foot was still on the line when the ball was struck.
Equatorial Guinea will now play Senegal, who defeated Cape Verde, in the last eight.
