Congo crash out of CHAN 2018 via penalty shoot-out to Libya

Jaures Maudsly Ngombe of Congo is challenged by Sand Masaud of Libya during the 2018 Chan quarterfinal game between Congo and Libya at Le Grand Stade Agadir in Agadir, Morocco on 28 January 2018 © Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix

by Brian Lee

Monday Jan 29, 2018. 00:19

Libya crashed out of the 2018 African Nations Championship after losing 5-3 in a penalty shootout to Libya after their quarterfinal match ended 1-1 at the Stade Adrar on Sunday night.

Congo made a slow start to the match and were punished for a mishap in defence in the 15th minute when Saleh Taher found the back of the net for Libya with a clinical finish, 1-0.

Libya continued to boss the game after opening the scoring, but their decision making in the final third was poor which meant they had very few decent scoring chances.

As the match progressed Congo began to find their feet and they soon equalised thanks to a well-taken goal by Junior Makiesse in the 37th minute, 1-1.

Congo finished the half the stronger of the two sides, but could not add to the scoreline before the break.

The second half saw Congo really taking control of the game, but they struggled to break down a well-organised Libyan defence and had to shoot from long range with very little effect.

In the 66th minute Makiesse tried his luck from long range, but the Libyan keeper was alert to the danger and made a fine save to deny him.

Ten minutes later Jaures Ngombe also came close to scoring for Congo, but his 20-yard shot shaved the wrong side of the post.

Libya almost stole the win in the 88th minute, very much against the run of play, when substitute Abdelsalam Faraj Alaqoub broke through on goal, but he was denied in a one-on-one with the goalkeeper.

Regular time ended 1-1 and the match moved into an additional 30 minutes of extra time, but still no side could find a winning goal as the match moved into a penalty shoot-out.

Libya converted all five of their penalties to beat Congo 5-3 in the shoot-out as they sealed their spot in the semi-finals of CHAN 2018 where they will face Morocco.

Congo (1) 1 (Makiesse 37’)

Libya (1) 1 (Taher 15’)

Teams

Congo: Mouko, Rozan, Bakoua, Kibamba, Bissiki, Lakolo, Gandze, Mboungou, Loussoukou (Bidimbou 75’), Makiesse, Ngombe.

Libya: Nashnush, Al Maqdsi, El Trbi, Al Warfali, Sabbou, Ablo (Taqtaq 113’), Hasan, Khalleefah, Alharash (Aleyat 59’), Taher, Khumaj (Alaqoub 77’).