DR Congo and Zambia neutralized each other on Wednesday at the San Pedro stadium for their entry into Group F of the African Cup of Nations. The Leopards deserved better but they were unable to realize their advantage, while Zambia exploited their only opportunity to score (1-1).
Published on: 01/17/2024 – 10:57 p.m. Modified on: 01/17/2024 – 11:04 p.m.
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Having possession is good, but in football you have to score to win. A lesson that the DR Congo revised on Wednesday January 17 against Zambia during their first match of CAN 2024. Dominant, the Leopards were unable to realize their advantage while the Chipolopolos scored on their only opportunity (1- 1).
The match was akin to a duel of ghosts between two nations with a glorious past, but absent from the last edition. The Leopards want to take care of their comeback and take the game into their own hands. Kalulu, Bakambu, Kakuta quickly give the Zambians a cold sweat.
Zambia gag goal
But completely against the flow of play, it was the Zambians who found the opening on their first opportunity of the match: on an exit far from his goal, the Congolese goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi cleared into touch. The Zambians play quickly and Kangwa takes advantage of the empty goal to try his luck from 25 meters. He found the target despite a desperate return from the Congolese defense (23rd, 1-0).
A goal which has the merit of relaunching the Congolese. Response from the shepherd to the shepherdess: the Leopards equalize immediately. Bakambu makes perfect control to the right of the goal and sends a precise cross to Wissa, who only has to push into the goal (1-1, 27th).
The match is on and the Congolese are increasing their enthusiasm. A shot from Wissa is saved on the line by the Zambia goalkeeper (30th) while Kadulu, very visible, takes his chance (36th). It is then the Chipolopolos star striker, Patson Daka, who himself comes to save a ball on his line (39th). Things are getting hot !
DR Congo returns to the field determined to take the advantage. Kakuta sends a cross for Bakambu, pushed back by the defense (46th). Then the Marc-Vivien Foé 2021 prize attempts an acrobatic return on a serve from Wissa (49th). The Congolese take advantage of their opportunities, like Bakambu, who goes behind the defense, who sends the ball into the stands (50th).
A penalty canceled for DR Congo
The minutes tick by and the Chipolopolos resist, notably thanks to Stoppila Sunzu, a true national hero. He was the last shooter in the final won by his country in 2012 against Ivory Coast.
The DR Congo thought they had their opportunity when the referee whistled for a hand in the area from a Zambian defender, but the VAR deprived them of a penalty. Ethiopian referee Bamlak Tessema Weyessa corrects his decision after viewing the images, to the great despair of Bakambu (68th).
So much regret for the DRC with this draw against Zambia (1-1), but by playing in this way, the Congolese have plenty to get out of this group.
— Romain Molina (@Romain_Molina) January 17, 2024
The goal is denied to the Leopards while Zambia rarely ventures into the opposing half of the field, and even less into the penalty area. But how to score? The Chipolopolos are so grouped together that they leave no space against the DR Congo. On the rare shots on target, Mulenga is there (86th). Until the end of the match.
Read also Find the classification of group F
The match ended in a draw which certainly suited Zambia more than DR Congo. The Leopards can bite their fingers after unchallenged domination. In the standings, the two teams share second place in group F and will have to earn their ticket to the 8th against Morocco and Tanzania.
