The 2018 Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) saw its first penalty shoot-out in Agadir late on Sunday in which Congo were eliminated from the competition losing 5-3 to a defiant Libya.

A tense match of few scoring chances had ended 1-1 after extra time with Sahel Taher putting Mediterranean Knights ahead on 15 minutes and Junior Makiesse levelling with 37 minutes gone.

Congo started the match well putting Libya under pressure, getting the crowd on their side from the start.

Jaures Ngombe found space in the 6th minute but his shot lacked direction and did not trouble the Libya keeper.

Salem Abro hammered a powered in a shot from distance in the 9th minute, but it went well over the bar.

In the 13th minute Junior Makiese burst into the danger area beating defenders, passing to Ngombe but nothing came of it.

Makiese turned the Libya defence with a great through ball to Carof Bakoua with just keeper Mohammed to beat to the ball.

Libya took the lead in the 15th minute when Saleh Taher found the back of the net with a clinical finish.

Then 10 minutes before the break Congo moved forward down the left and a ball swung in found Prestige Mboungou unmarked in the area his diving header across the six-yard box was met by Juniour Makiesse to score to bring Red Devils level, 1-1.

The second 45 saw Libya doing all the pressing early on as they tried to get second goal and they came close in the 53rd minute.

Salem Abro was left unmarked at a corner-kick, but he saw his powerful header from 12-yards out brilliantly saved by the Congo keeper, using the underside of the post and his palm to avoid the goal being scored.

Then a mistake by Masaoud Masoud four minutes later allowed Jures Ngombe a shot at goal, but Mohammed saved well. Then it was Rozan who went close in the 80th minute for Congo after a good combination with Mboungou that resulted in a first time effort on goal, which was saved.

The match went into extra-time with both sides looking fatigued but giving away nothing and the match ended 1-1 after 30 minutes.

Libya kept their nerve in the penalty shoot-out as Congo’s captain and keeper Barel Mouko, 38, missed his penalty that made Mediterranean Knights seal their spot in the semi-finals of CHAN 2018 where they will face Morocco.

Line ups:

Congo: Mouko, Rozan, Bakoua, Kibamba, Bissiki, Lakolo, Gandze, Mboungou, Loussoukou (Bidimbou 75’), Makiesse, Ngombe.

Libya: Nashnush, Al Maqdsi, El Trbi, Al Warfali, Sabbou, Ablo (Taqtaq 113’), Hasan, Khalleefah, Alharash (Aleyat 59’), Taher, Khumaj (Alaqoub 77’).