Egypt’s AFCON Exit: Salah’s Absence and Penalty Drama

Dramatic Shoot-out Ends Egypt’s AFCON Journey

Heartbreak for Egypt in Penalty Thriller

In a dramatic turn of events, Egypt’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) journey came to an end after a nail-biting penalty shoot-out against the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo). The record seven-time champions faced an 8-7 defeat on penalties after their last-16 match concluded 1-1 at the end of extra time.

Mohamed Salah’s Absence Felt

Compounding Egypt’s disappointment was the absence of star player Mohamed Salah, who couldn’t feature due to injury. Salah’s hopes of securing an AFCON title with his country were dashed as the Pharaohs endured a challenging campaign marked by three draws and the loss of their key player to a hamstring injury.

Meschack Elia and Mostafa Mohamed: Scoring Drama

The on-field drama unfolded as Meschack Elia gave DR Congo the lead in the 37th minute, only to be countered by Mostafa Mohamed’s penalty goal just before halftime. Egypt’s Mohamed Hamdy’s red card in extra time added to the tension, setting the stage for a penalty shootout that would determine their fate.

Penalty Shoot-out Agony: Mohamed’s Miss and DR Congo’s Triumph

Mohamed couldn’t convert Egypt’s second penalty, and DR Congo’s Arthur Masuaku missed the subsequent attempt. The shoot-out drama reached its climax when Egypt’s goalkeeper Mohamed Abou Gabal missed the ninth penalty, allowing DR Congo’s Lionel Mpasi to secure victory and a spot in the quarter-finals.

Egypt’s Dream Deferred: Salah’s Injury Impact

Egypt’s journey in AFCON 2022 faced setbacks not only due to Salah’s injury but also a series of challenging results. Salah, who left the tournament after sustaining a hamstring injury against Ghana, had hoped to rejoin for the knockout stage. However, the dream of clinching the title with his country will have to wait.

Historic Win for DR Congo

While Egypt grapples with disappointment, DR Congo celebrates a historic victory, marking the first time they’ve won a knockout tie since reaching the last four in 2015. Mpasi, the hero of the penalty shoot-out, shared insights, stating, “We practised penalties a lot…I just tried to stay calm. I thought about the last penalty I took in training, and luckily it went well.”

The AFCON exit for Egypt signifies the end of their pursuit for a title, leaving fans and players with mixed emotions and paving the way for other nations to compete for continental glory.

Mr. Azhar ul Haq Wahid - Editor Mr. Azhar ul Haq Wahid joins "To The Sports News" as an Editor, bringing a decade of comprehensive journalistic experience to our team. A respected Pakistani journalist, he has dedicated his career to covering a wide array of global issues across the world, demonstrating a deep understanding of complex subjects and a commitment to detailed reporting. Mr. Wahid has a background working with prominent print and electronic media organizations, including Channel Five TV, the newspaper "Khabrain," The Nation/Nawa-i-Waqt, NNI, Daily Sama, City 42, Star Asia, Waqt News, Daily The Business, and Daily The Khabrain. His work has covered areas such as Environment, Health, and Sports. He is also a member of the Lahore Press Club, the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), and the Society of Environmental Journalists (SEJ), highlighting his dedication to journalistic standards and diverse reporting. His academic background includes a BS Honors degree in Sociology and an MPhil from Punjab University, alongside a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Sargodha. Furthermore, Mr. Wahid is a Ph.D. candidate in Journalism at Complutense University of Madrid, and has contributed to research on topics including the relationship of sports participation with achievement, motivation, and innovation traits among university students, and the effects of parental involvement on student participation in sports. With his extensive experience in covering diverse topics and his keen analytical skills, Mr. Azhar ul Haq Wahid is poised to lead our sports news coverage with depth, accuracy, and insightful perspectives, ensuring our readers receive top-tier journalistic content.

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