Seven-time Africa Cup of Nations champions, Egypt secured a ticket to the quarterfinal of the African Cup Of Nations (AFCON) after beating Ivory Coast.
It ended, as it had for a long time seemed that it would, with penalties. And as has happened twice before at the AFCON in the past 24 years, Egypt beat Ivory Coast on penalties after a 0-0 draw.
The Elephants looked the strongest team to win the game having finished top of their group in the group stages while Egypt were runners-up behind Nigeria.
In what was a good display of superb goalkeeping skills by Badra Sangare and Mohamed El-Shenawy, the game was forced into penalties after neither of the teams was unable to score in 120 minutes of action.
Sangare made six saves in the game compared to El-Shenawy’s seven before he was taken off due to what looked like a hamstring injury.
Manchester United’s Eric Bailly missed his from the spot during the shootout as substitute goalkeeper, Mohamed Abo Gabal made a good save before Mohamed Salah stepped up to convert the winning penalty.
The second game was almost a carbon-copy with no goals scored over 120 minutes between Mali and Equatorial Guinea. But it was the Northern Thunder who won 6-5 on penalties after Mali’s, Falaye Sacko had his effort saved.
Quarter-finals schedule
Saturday Jan. 29
- 20h00: Gambia vs. Cameroon
- 23h00: Burkina Faso vs. Tunisia
Sunday Jan. 30
- 20h00: Egypt vs. Morocco
- 23h00: Senegal vs. Equatorial Guinea
