The fourth round of 16 match at the Africa Cup of Nations promises an exciting encounter as Egypt faces Congo DR at Stade Laurent Pokou on Sunday evening. The victor of this clash will progress to the quarter-finals, setting the stage for a potential face-off against either Equatorial Guinea or Guinea.
Before the tournament kicked off, few could have predicted that Egypt, the seven-time champions, would reach the last 16 without securing a single victory in the group stages. The Pharaohs managed just three points from three draws, with each match ending in a 2-2 scoreline.
Rui Vitoria’s team displayed a varied performance in the group stages. They showcased resilience against Ghana, coming from behind twice, but faced challenges against Cape Verde, surrendering the lead on two occasions. With a history of knockout ties often going to penalty shootouts, Egypt hopes for a more straightforward result in this crucial match. Notably, The Pharaohs have only lost one of their five AFCON encounters against Congo DR, winning three and drawing one.
In contrast, Congo DR’s journey to the last 16 mirrored Egypt’s, as they also failed to secure a victory in the group stages, settling for three draws. The Leopards began with a 1-1 draw against Zambia, held group winners Morocco to another 1-1 draw, and secured their spot with a stalemate against Tanzania.
Sebastien Desabre’s side has struggled in recent matches, failing to win any of their last six and securing only one victory in their last 10, which came against Mauritania in World Cup qualifying. In the group stage, Congo DR scored the second-fewest goals (2) among the 16 teams in the round of 16, with only Namibia posting a lower tally.
While the Leopards have advanced from the group stage in their last four AFCON appearances, they faced early exits in 2019 (drawing 2-2 and losing 4-2 on penalties against Madagascar) and 2017 (losing 2-1 against Ghana in the quarter-final).
**Form Guide:**
– Egypt’s AFCON Form: DDD
– Egypt’s Overall Form: WWWDDD
– Congo DR’s AFCON Form: DDD
– Congo DR’s Overall Form: LDLDDD
As these football titans clash in the round of 16, the stage is set for a battle of skill, determination, and the quest for AFCON glory. The history between the two teams adds an intriguing layer to this encounter, making it a must-watch for football enthusiasts worldwide.
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