AFCON Last 16: Egypt seal quarter-final place after shootouts victory vs. Cote d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea beat Mali on pens.

Egypt booked their place in quarter finals of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations Cameroon 2021 following a 5-4 penalties shootouts victory over Cote d’Ivoire.

The record champions kept their cool in the nerve-racking penalties to beat Cote d’Ivoire with substitute goalkeeper Mohamed Daader saving Eric Bailly’s spot kick.

The match was watched by an enthusiastic crowd at the Japoma Stadium.

Both sides really displayed their prowess in the much-anticipated game that saw supporters from both nations singing and cheering players at the Japoma Stadium.

With an electric atmosphere inside the stadium the two teams cancelled each other in midfield while they continue to create openings.

The match ended goalless was pushed to extra-time and extended into penalties after 130 minutes, Eric Bailly’s spot kick was saved after all players had taken turns.

In the other round of 16 game Equatorial Guinea needed penalties to beat Mali by 6-5 after a goalless draw in extra-time, to reach the quarterfinals of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations, Cameroon 2021.

Nzalang Nacional reached the quarterfinals for the third time in as many participations, while Mali failed to imitate what they did in Cameroon 50 years ago when the reached the final in 1972.

The Malian Eagles were consistent and they tried counter-attacking move to force their opponents into making mistakes but Equatorial Guinea were no easy pushovers as they resisted penetration upfront.

The game also ended goalless was pushed to extra-time and extended into penalties after 130 minutes, Equatorial Guinea goalkeeper Jesus Owono was his side’s hero, saving two penalties to send NZalang Nacional to the final eight.

Equatorial set a date with Senegal next Sunday.