2023 AFCON: DR Congo v Guinea report

by Staff Reporter

Saturday Feb 03, 2024. 00:18

The second quarterfinal in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations saw DR Congo beat Guinea 3-1 at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium.

Date: 2 February 2024

DR Congo (1) 3 (Mbemba 27′, Wissa 65′, Masuaku 82′)

Guinea (1) 1 (Bayo 20′ PEN)

DR Congo: L. Mpasi, G. Kalulu, C. Mbemba, H. Inonga, A. Masuaku, T. Bongonda (A. Tshibola 84′), S. Moutoussamy, C. Pickel, M. Elia (S. Katompa Mvumpa 59′), C. Bakambu (S. Banza 72′), Y. Wissa (J. Kayembe 84′).

Guinea: I. Kone, I. Diakite (A. Conte 90+1′), M. Diakhaby, J. Jeanvier, I. Sylla, M. Guilavogui (A. Toure 59′), N. Keita, A. Diawara (S. Guirassy 69′), S. Sylla (F. Conte 59′), M. Bayo (F. Kamano 90+2′), A. Camara.

First 45′: The Leopards almost got off to a flying start when a long throw-in landed at the feet of Yoane Wissa after mix-up between the opposition defenders, but he poked the ball wide from eight yards out in the fourth minute. The National Elephants would take the lead against the run of play on 20 minutes after Mohamed Bayo went to ground from Chancel Mbemba’s shoulder-charge to earn a soft penalty that the striker converted following a lengthy delay due to VAR review. However, Mbemba made amends soon afterwards as he fired home from an angle at the back on 27 minutes after Guinea failed to deal with a corner. Cedric Bakambu went close in the final minute of the half when he steered Arthur Masuaku’s free-kick wide of the target on the stretch.

Second 45′: DR Congo looked by far the better team in the second half and Wissa threatened twice early on when his free-kick was deflected wide off the wall on 49 minutes before he curled a shot well beyond the far post from inside the box in the 52nd minute. They won a penalty of their own on 62 minutes after Silas Katompa Mvumpa was fouled by Julian Jeanvier as he surged into the 18-yard area and Wissa made no mistake from 12 yards out to make it 2-1. Masuaku then sealed the win eight minutes from time with a free-kick that he whipped in from the left and it caught Kone by surprise as the ball dipped under the crossbar.

What the result means: The Leopards march on to the last four for the first time since the 2015 edition when they finished third, while Guinea head home with their heads held high after winning a knockout match for the first time in 48 years.

What’s next: DR Congo will await the winner of the last-eight clash between hosts Ivory Coast and Mali on Saturday, February 3.