The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) stage is set for a classic encounter as Egypt take on DR Congo in the Round of 16 tonight at Stade Laurent Pokou.
Kick off at 8pm promises a tense clash between two teams with contrasting styles and a rich history of AFCON battles.
Both teams arrive with identical records of three draws in the group stage. Egypt, seeking their eighth continental title, finished second in Group B with three points, scoring and conceding six goals across draws against Mozambique, Ghana, and Cape Verde. DR Congo, aiming to replicate their 1974 triumph, emerged as runners-up in Group C with three points, netting and conceding two goals in matches against Zambia, Morocco, and Tanzania.
Previous AFCON encounters between these two giants have been nothing short of dramatic. In the knockout stages, they have split victories, with DR Congo claiming a 3-2 win in the 1974 semi-final and Egypt securing a 4-1 victory in the 2006 quarter-finals. Interestingly, on both occasions, the winner of the tie went on to lift the trophy that year.
Historically, Egypt holds the upper hand, having won three of the previous four AFCON meetings between the two teams (including the 2019 edition). However, DR Congo’s resilience and defensive solidity cannot be underestimated.
The winner of tonight’s clash will face Equatorial Guinea or Guinea in the quarter-finals, adding another layer of intrigue to this must-watch encounter.
Both Egypt and DR Congo are eager to ditch their draw specialist tag and finally claim a win that propels them towards continental glory.