DRC sets its law in Guinea and moves on to the last four

Published on: 02/02/2024 – 22:56Modified: 02/02/2024 – 23:06

3 minutes

From our special correspondent at Alassane Ouattara Stadium,

Sebastien Desabre said it well at a press conference on the eve of the CAN 2024 quarter-finals on Thursday: the choice of DRC, which he has led for a year and a half, knows how to demonstrate calm and organization. l’Egypt, in the round of 16, paid the price. And this Friday, in Abidjan, it was Guinea who was able to see the progress made by the Leopards, logically qualifying for the semi-finals of this CAN after their well-deserved success (3-1).

Also readCAN 2024: calendar and all results

Mbemba makes a mistake, then redeems himself

Alassa didn’t need to arrive late at the Ouattara Stadium, as Guinea needed just a few seconds to send in the first thriller through Morgan Gilavogui. Samuel Moutousamy replied without finding the target after Congolese Yoane Visa. Then came the first turning point of the match with this foul, in the 17th minute by Chancelle Mbemba behind Mohamed Bayo in the area. The Algerian referee, Mustafa Ghorbal, signaled the penalty spot, and Guinea took justice into their own hands (20th).

A short-lived advantage for the national team, as the Leopards came back to level thanks to… Mbemba. Faulted on Bayo’s goal, the captain received a ball in the Guinea area at a corner before unleashing a powerful strike, from a tight angle and with the help of the post, Ibrahim Kone helplessly into the back of the net (27th).

Also readRelive DRC’s qualification for the semi-finals commented by our reporters

Visu and Masuaku extinguish the Guinea flame

This balanced quarter-final changed again at the hour mark, and this time for good. Launched from deep, the fascinating Conte, who had just come on for Guinea, picked out Congolese goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi with a great cross, but was unable to retrieve the ball. Continuing the action, Silas Katompa, who moments earlier had been brought into battle by Sebastien Desabre, ran away with a long move down the right before being caught illegally in the area by Julien Geneviere. Logical penalty, converted with composure by Yoan Visa (65th).

The appearance of the match did not change anything with the introduction of Sergio Guerresi for the national team. The DRC’s rise to power was then unassailable against the physically impoverished Guinea. The suspense came to an end in the 82nd minute when Arthur Masuku hit a direct free kick, albeit very eccentric on the left, to deceive Cone for the last time.

So the road ends there for the Guineans, with the DRC back in the last four of CAN for the first time since the 2015 edition. Desabre Method and the Cheetah group are in sync, and the winner of Saturday’s Mali-Côte d’Ivoire quarter-final will know what to expect.