AFCON 2023: DR Congo holds favourites Morocco in Group F clash

Achraf Hakimi celebrates his goal © CAF Online

By Rama Mohammed
Sunday, January 21, 2024

Tanzania will face Zambia from 8PM EAT while the South Africa versus Namibia game that kicks off at 11PM EAT will close the curtains for today's AFCON action

Silas Mvupa's late equaliser salvaged a point for DR Congo against Morocco in an entertaining Group F clash played at the Stade Laurent Pokou.

PSG star Achraf Hakimi had put the Atlas Lions ahead on six minutes, a lead they held on until the 76th minute when Mvupa struck the equaliser.

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In the opening moments, Moroccan striker Youssef En-Nesyri came close to giving his team the lead with a header from Hakim Ziyech's cross within the first minute. However, it was defender Achraf Hakimi who capitalized on a corner kick in the 6th minute, netting the initial goal for Morocco and setting the stage for a potential qualification to the knockout stage.

A pivotal moment occurred when the Congolese Leopards were awarded a penalty kick due to a foul committed by Selim Amallah. Despite the golden opportunity, the Congolese player failed to convert, hitting the right post and sparing the Lions from conceding.

🇨🇩 Silas Mvumpa 🇨🇩

DR Congo's goalscorer is your TotalEnergies Man of the Match! 👏#TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 | #MARRDC | @Football2Gether pic.twitter.com/dR9HudIuHZ
— CAF_Online (@CAF_Online) January 21, 2024

In contrast to the previous Morocco-Tanzania match, the Congolese squad maintained pressure on the Atlas Lions throughout the game. The persistent efforts paid off when Congo's forward Silas scored the equalizer in the 76th minute, diminishing Morocco's chances of an early qualification.

With 4 points in the group standings, Morocco now needs a victory in its third game to secure a spot in the round of 16. Coach Walid Regragui's team had begun its AFCON journey with a commanding 3-0 win against Tanzania on January 17, fueled by the spirit instilled during the latest World Cup in Qatar.

After a 48-year trophy drought, Morocco's rising football generation aims to clinch victory in the ongoing tournament. Congo, having previously won the African Cup in 1968 and 1974, aspires to secure its third championship in the competition.

The Congolese Leopards' initial match against Zambia, also former champions, ended in a 1-1 draw, earning both teams one point each in the group standings.

Morocco's final group stage clash is scheduled for January 24 against Zambia at the San Pedro Stadium, kicking off at 11PM EAT.. The outcome of this match will play a decisive role in determining the team's fate in the tournament.