Mohanad Lasheen has reportedly refused to take Egypt’s ninth and final penalty kick against DR Congo, forcing Mohamed Abou-Gabal to take it instead.
Egypt have been eliminated from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations round of 16 after losing to DR Congo on penalties.
The final penalty was taken by goalkeeper Mohamed Abou-Gabal who ended up hitting the bar, before DR Congo keeper Lionel Mpasi scored the winning kick himself.
However, beIN Sports revealed that midfielder Mohanad Lasheen, who came on just a few minutes before the penalty shootout, was supposed to take the kick instead of Abou-Gabal, but refused to go for it.
Lasheen had missed Egypt’s final penalty against Senegal in the 2021 AFCON final, having also come off the bench in the extra time at the time.