Egypt, DR Congo face off in last 16 AFCON clash

Egypt and DR Congo are set to encounter in the Round of 16 clash of the fifth TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Cote d’Ivoire 2023 at Laurtent Pokou stadium on Sunday.

The historical backdrop, marked by previous victories and dramatic knockout encounters, adds an extra layer of anticipation to this matchup.

The Pharaohs hold a significant advantage in their head-to-head history, winning three out of the previous four encounters, with just one defeat.

Notably, their past meetings in the knockout rounds of the tournament have seen both teams emerge victorious, each eventually lifting the trophy in the respective years – DR Congo (Zaire) in 1974 and Egypt in 2006.

Both teams navigated the group stage with three draws, a rare feat that only four previous teams have accomplished since 1996. DR Congo, having achieved this twice, is the first to do so on multiple occasions.

Egypt’s knockout stage performances have been marked by penalty drama, with four of their last seven CAF Africa Cup of Nations matches requiring a shootout. Their ability to progress despite conceding 2+ goals in all three group stage games makes them a team to watch.

In the group stage, Egypt showcased attacking prowess with 12 more shots than any other team, while DR Congo struggled with only two goals and a low shot conversion rate. Marwan Attia, with limited playing time, emerged as a key playmaker for Egypt.

Mostafa Mohamed, in sensational form, has scored in all three matches, aiming to join an elite group of Egyptian players with a fourth consecutive goal. On the other side, Chancel Mbemba’s outstanding statistics in ball carries and distance covered make him a pivotal figure for DR Congo.

As the two teams gear up for a clash of football titans, the Laurtent Pokou Stadium is poised for an electrifying showdown in the fifth encounter of TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Cote d’Ivoire 2023.