SAN PEDRO, Ivory Coast – In a thrilling encounter at the Africa Cup of Nations, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) showcased resilience as they came from behind to secure a 1-1 draw against Zambia in their opening match.
The clash took place in the Ivorian coastal city of San-Pedro, providing fans with an exciting display of football.
Zambia took an early lead in the game as Kings Kangwa capitalized on a decisive moment, lobbing the ball over Congolese goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi.
This maneuver occurred after Mpasi rushed out of his area, leaving an opening for Zambia to exploit. The goal set the stage for an intense battle between the two former African champions.
However, the Leopards of the DRC quickly responded, leveling the score before the half-hour mark.
Congo survives Chipolopolo scare
Yoane Wissa, who has showcased his scoring prowess in the English Premier League with Brentford, netted a close-range finish, restoring parity to the delight of the Congolese contingent.
The draw was a hard-fought result between the neighboring nations, both seeking a positive start to their AFCON campaign.
Zambia, under the coaching guidance of Avram Grant, made a comeback to the tournament after missing the last three editions.
They were eager to secure their first victory since their unexpected triumph in 2012 when they lifted the AFCON trophy.
Despite a penalty scare for Congo, with a decision initially given but later overturned following a video review, the match concluded with both teams sharing the points.
The draw sets up Zambia for a clash against Tanzania on Sunday as a decisive encounter, while Congo, led by coach Sebastien Desabre, will face Morocco on the same day desperate for a win.
The AFCON encounter in San-Pedro delivered intense moments, emphasizing the competitive spirit of African football on the continental stage.
As the tournament progresses, fans can anticipate more thrilling matches and outstanding performances from the participating teams.
![FILE: Tawanda Maswanhise celebrates after scoring for Motherwell FC in the Scottish Premiership match against Rangers FC on Sunday 29th December 2024. [Picture by: Raymond Davies Photography]](https://rosgwen24.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/image-5-768x768.jpeg "Maswanhise comes to the party, ref spoils the battle 5")