Friday, Mar 03, 2023 08:46 PM
Tunisia secured a dramatic 5-4 penalty shootout win over Congo after extra-time to secure their place in the semi-final of the TotalEnergies U20 Africa Cup of Nations on Friday.
The Young Carthage Eagles of Tunisia beat the Congo on penalties to secure their ticket to the last four following a thrilling 3-3 stalemate in regulation time.
Substitute Aziz Abid scored the winning spot kick to send Adel Sellimi’s team to the last four and book their ticket to the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Indonesia later this year.
The two teams came into the quarter final match with great enthusiasm and determination to make the semi-finals following their group stage qualification.
It was the Red Devils of Congo who drew first blood at the Cairo International Stadium through Déogracias Bassinga’s goal on 24 minutes.
The forward was smart to turn in Exaucé Nzahou’s clever cut back into the area to give Marie Joseph Madienguela’s team the lead.
Tunisia replied through Saint Etienne forward Jibril Othman’s well taken goal seven minutes before the break.
The in-form striker beat his marker to stylishly flick Rayan Nasraoui’s perfect ball into the Congo box.
The two sides continued to push for the next goal but cancelled out each other heading into halftime.
The Young Carthage Eagles went in front through Samy Chouchane’s low drive from the edge of the box to beat Makoundou to make 2-1 on 76 minutes.
The match lived up to its billing as Congo got back into the match through their brilliant forward Déogracias Bassinga ten minutes from normal time.
Bassinga latched on Saikou Djigo’s through ball to beat Raed Gazzeh with a powerful effort inside the area to send the match into extra time.
With the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology being used in the knockout phase of the TotalEnergies U-20 Africa Cup of Nations it was called to action three times in the match.
The referee right disallowed a goal for either side following an on-field VAR review before awarding Congo a penalty following another on-field VAR review.
Déogracias Bassinga completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot after Congo had won a penalty for handball inside the area. Bassinga dispatched the spot kick on 102 minutes to restore their lead.
The resilient Tunisian left it late to draw level courtesy of Ali Saoudi’s effort which beat the helpless Maillon Makoundou to force the match into post match shootouts.
Raed Gazzeh stopped two spot kicks from substitutes Belfegor Mindou and Josna Loulendo before Davarel Mouandza missed his penalty to allow Tunisia’s Aziz Abid to convert the winner and send the Young Carthage Eagles to the semi-finals.
Tunisia will travel to the Suez Canal Stadium in Ismailia to face Senegal for a place in the final of the TotalEnergies U-20 Africa Cup of Nations.
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