Zambia Secure A Point In AFCON Opener
18 January, 2024
Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia could not be separated in their Africa Cup of Nations group opener after playing to a 1-1 draw on Wednesday evening.
Africa Cup of Nations
Result: Congo DR 1-1 Zambia
Date: 17 January 2024
Venue: Stade Laurent Pokou
Zambia's attack was unsurprisingly led by Leicester City forward Patson Daka, with Fashion Sakala and Lubambo Musonda operating in the wings.
DRC also had a formidable attack, with Galatasaray's Cedric Bakambu bearing the responsibility to lead the line. The Leopards had high energy going forward in the opening exchanges and were a real threat with bursts of pace in the last third. However, Kings Kangwa broke the deadlock for Zambia on 23 minutes with a volley from outside of the box into an empty net after a quick throw-in by Chipolopolo caught goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi-Nzau way out of his area.
But Zambia's lead did not last long, as Yoane Wissa equalised for Congo four minutes later with a tap-in from a low cross by Cedric Bakambu.
Sebastien Desabre's charges gained momentum as Wissa almost gave them the lead moments later with a shot that was cleared off the line.
However, both sides ran out of steam in the closing phase of the first stanza and went to the half-time break level pegging.
The sides came back renewed from the break as they game got lively again and DR Congo were initially awarded a penalty on the hour-mark after a ball hit the arm of Tandi Mwape in the box but the referee changed his decision after reviewing the incident on the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) monitor.
Desabre refreshed his attack with 20 minutes to go as Meschack Elia replaced Gael Kakuta and five minutes later Avram Grant also required fresh legs in his attack, as Lameck Banda came on for Lubambo Musonda.
The Leopards had the momentum in the dying minutes and Arthur Masuaku had a big chance, left unmarked in the box but fired a tame shot into the hands of goalkeeper Lawrence Musonda, as the encounter ended all square.
Source: www.snl24.com