The afcon quarter finals are expected to begin as the round of 16 came to an end yesterday with both Egypt and Equatorial Guinea going through. The elephants started at a high note with their attack causing problems to the Egyptians. Nonetheless, Egypt was kept in the game by their goalkeeper, Mahmoud El Shenawy who produced brilliant saves that kept his team on the game.
The elephants who were controlling the game for the most of the first half were given a blow as their key man at the midfield, Frank Kessie ripped off with an injury and was replaced by Serey Die at the middle of the park. Both teams showed a good game in their play producing match winning opportunities that were not converted as the net remained blank for the 120 playing time. After a 0-0 draw the match was sent to penalty shoot out with the pharaos coming up victorious on 5-4 after Manchester united defender, Eric barily fail to convert his penalty.
On the other hand, Mali who also battled on a barren draw were sent home after a penalty shootout against equatorial guinea suffering a 6-5 defeat. Mali who started the game in the right foot but failed to convert their chances to secure a win in the regular time of the game. The best chance of the match came at half mark of the hour as Brighton’s Yves Bissouma rounded defenders and passed to Haidara who blazed his shot high on a close range.
Mali who were the best team of the match were unlucky, failing to convert their 14 shot that only one of them was on target. The Guinea’s have their goalkeeper Jesus Owono to thank after fantastic saves that saw them finish the game without conceding a goal. The goalkeeper produced a fine evening with outstanding save on the penalty shoot out to assure Nzalang Nacional a place in the quarter finals.
Egypt will be facing morocco at the quarter finals as equatorial guinea face of with manes Senegal on Sunday.
