AFCON 2023: Old Leopard Mbemba and energetic Wissa break Naby Keita's heart in Abidjan
Reading Time: 2min | Sat. 03.02.24. | 01:05
DR Congo moves into the semi-final thanks to a comeback 3-1 win over Guinea
DR Congo's Leopards roared into the Africa Cup of Nations semi-final despite conceding the night's first goal in Abidjan. Thanks to the experience of their captain Chancel Mbemba and classy midfielder Yoane Wissa, Sebastien Desabre's team overcame the National Elephants, who only had one inspired player on the night - Naby Keita.
It's the first time since 2015 that DR Congo made it into the last four - and man of the match Wissa was all smiles after the game.
It all started smoothly for Guinea, as Algerian referee Mohammed Ghorbal pointed to the spot after Mohamed Bayo went down in the box after a slight touch from Mbemba. Still full of confidence after his match-winning heroics against Equatorial Guiena in the round of 16, the Le Havre striker himself stepped up and hit a penalty into the roof of Lionel Mpasi-Nzau's net.
It took Guinea no time at all to level. Mbemba made amends for the conceded penalty with an expertly-taken left-footed finish after an Elephants' corner. The veteran defender didn't score many better goals than this one!
Cedric Bakambu had a chance but missed his only chance of the night. He was later replaced after the break by Simon Banza.
Naby Keita looked energetic and inspired in the middle of the park, but sadly for Guinea, the former Liverpool man was one of the few players who showed up for "le Syli National" in Abidjan. The Werder Bremen midfielder created a lot of space for himself with a majestic first touch and delivered a pass into a dangerous area, but substitute Morgan Guilavogui made a mess of the opportunity - and the punishemt on the other end was cruel.
Amadou Diawara clipped Silas Wamangituka as the substitute entered the box following his impressive gallop down the right wing. Diawara was made to look silly twice in the space of a few seconds and the ref pointed to the spot yet again after a brief think.
Brentford star Yoane Wissa hammered his penalty past Kone - and even though there was nearly a half-hour left, the Guineans never looked capable of levelling.
Instead, Arthur Masuaku put Guinea out of their misery with a goal from a direct free kick with less than ten minutes to go. He stunned Kone and made it 3-1. There was only one team going through!
The Leopards will face either Mali or host nation Ivory Coast for a place in the final.
AFCON 2023 - QUARTER-FINALS
Friday
Nigeria - Angola 1-0 (1-0)
/Lookman 41/
DR Congo - Guinea 3-1 (1-1)
/Mbemba 27, Wissa 65 pen, Masuaku 82 - Bayo 20 pen/
Saturday
20:00: (3.30) Mali (3.10) Ivory Coast (2.35)
23:00: (2.65) Cape Verde (3.05) S.Africa (2.90)
***odds are subject to change***
