Les Léopards of the DR Congo came from behind to win 3-1 against the Syli Stars of Guinea on Friday, February 2, securing a place in the semi-finals of the 2023 African Cup of Nations hosted in Côte d’Ivoire.
The Congolese will face either Mali or hosts Ivory Coasts who play tomorrow evening.
The game got off to a frantic start in Abidjan at the Ebimpe Olympic Stadium at 2100GMT (9 PM Nigerian time) with the Syli National of Guinea adamantly pleading for a penalty in the first minute before a defensive mix-up at the other end presented Wissa with a golden opportunity from eight yards out, but the Brentford man dragged his shot wide.
As the half went on the game settled slightly until Guinea was awarded a penalty as the Congolese captain Mbemba was adjudged to have pushed the striker for the Syli Stars, Bayo in the 18-yard box. After a lengthy delay, Bayo kept his cool and got his team 1 goal via the spot-kick.
But unfortunately, the one-goal lead would be short-lived as minutes later a DR Congo corner found Mbemba at the back post who brought the ball down before smashing it into the roof of the net with a finish any player would be proud of. Following the mandatory water break the game pace dropped and both sides looked happy to go in level.
The second half was a much slower affair being broken up by constant fouls and substitutions. Yet Congo consistently looked more threatening and took the lead through the game’s second penalty when substitute Mvumpa was tripped after being on the pitch for a matter of moments.
Wissa converted the penalty giving Congo the lead for the first time on the night. The game was won in the final ten minutes when former West Ham man Masuaku spotted the Guinea goalkeeper off his line and struck a clever free-kick which snuck into the near post.
The result sees Les Léopards of DR Congo through to the semi-finals for the first time since the 2015 AFCON hosted in Equatorial Guinea when they won via penalties 4 – 2 against the host at the Estadio de Bata in Malabo the capital of Equatorial Guinea on Saturday, February 7.
