ALEXANDRIA, Egypt, July 7 (Xinhua) -- Debutants Madagascar edged DR Congo on penalties here on Sunday evening after a 2-2 draw after extra time in the round of 16, securing a spot in the quarterfinals of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
During the 120-minute match, Ibrahim Amada opened the scoring for Madagascar in the 9th minute from a left footed shot from outside the box. DR Congo replied in the 21st minute with a header by Cedric Bakambu.
After Madagascar retook the lead 2-1 by Faneva Ima Andriatsima's header in the 77th minute, DR Congo's Chancel Mbemba managed to score a last-minute equalizer, taking the match into extra time and finally to a penalty shootout, where Madagascar won 4-2.
Madagascar, who competed the AFCON for the first time in their history, made a remarkable run during the tournament so far, as they beat Nigeria to top Group B.
Madagascar, Nigeria, South Africa, Senegal and Benin have already secured their places in the AFCON 2019 quarterfinals.
Today's match between Algeria and Guinea, tomorrow's confrontations between Mali and Cote d'Ivoire and Ghana vs Tunisia will decide the other three quarterfinalists.
Featuring 24 teams instead of 16 for the first time in its history, the 32nd AFCON, Africa's biggest soccer competition, kicked off in Egypt on June 21 and will close on July 19.
