Nine years later, here is the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in the semi-final of an African Cup of Nations. In Abidjan, the Leopards were first led by Guinea before resurfacing and taking the better (3-1) this Friday, February 2. The Congolese now await Ivory Coast or Mali in the next round.
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From our special correspondent at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium,
Sébastien Desabre said it well on Thursday, at a press conference, on the eve of this CAN 2024 quarter-final: the selection of DRC, which he has led for a year and a half, knows how to demonstrate calm and organization. L’Egypt, in the round of 16, paid the price. And this Friday, in Abidjan, it was Guinea which was able to see the progress made by the Leopards, logically qualified for the semi-finals of this CAN after their deserved success (3-1).
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Mbemba makes a mistake, then redeems himself
There was no need to arrive late at the Alassane Ouattara stadium, as Guinea only needed a few seconds to send a first thrill through Morgan Guilavogui. The Congolese Yoane Wissa then Samuel Moutoussamy responded, without finding the target. Then came the first turning point of the match with this foul, in the 17th minute, by Chancel Mbemba behind the back of Mohamed Bayo in the area. The Algerian referee, Mustapha Ghorbal, indicated the penalty spot, and the Guinean took justice into his own hands (20th).
A short-lived advantage for the national Sily, because the Leopards came back to the level thanks to… Mbemba. Faulty on Bayo’s goal, the captain redeemed himself by receiving a ball in the Guinean area on a corner before catapulting a powerful strike, from a tight angle and with the help of the post, into the back of the net from a Ibrahim Koné helpless (27th).
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Wissu and Masuaku extinguish the Guinean flame
After the break, this balanced quarter-final changed again at the hour mark, and this time for good. Launched from deep, Facinet Conte, who had just come into play for Guinea, eliminated Congolese goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi with a large bridge, but was unable to recover the ball. Continuing the action, Silas Katompa, also launched into the battle by Sébastien Desabre a few moments earlier, escaped with long strides on the right before being caught illegally in the area by Julian Jeanvier. Logical penalty, converted into a goal with composure by Yoane Wissa (65th).
The entry into play of Serhou Guirassy for the national Sily did not change anything in the appearance of the match. The rise in power of the DRC was then indisputable against a physically blunted Guinea. The suspense ended in the 82nd minute when Arthur Masuaku, although very eccentric on the left, hit a direct free kick and deceived Koné one last time.
The road therefore ends there for the Guineans, while for the first time since the 2015 edition, the DRC returns to the last four of a CAN. The Desabre method and the Leopards group are in tune, and the winner of Saturday’s Mali-Côte d’Ivoire quarter-final will know what to expect.