The Congolese national football team recorded its second game draw today in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), that is being held in Cote d’Ivoire, over Morocco’s Atlas Lions by 1-1, as part of its second group stage match.
In an attempt to give Morocco the lead in the first minute of play, striker Youssef En-Nesyri was on the verge of scoring a header from a cross by Hakim Ziyech.
However, from a corner kick following the first attempt, defender Achraf Hakimi netted the first goal for Morocco in the 6th minute, attempting to secure a potential qualification for the knockout stage.
In a breath-taking moment, the Congolese Leopards team were rewarded a penalty kick following a foul by Selim Amallah. Luckily for the Lions, However, the Congolese player lost the golden opportunity as the ball struck out at the right post.
Unlike the Morocco-Tanzania match scenario, the Congolese squad continued to exert pressure on the Atlas Lions throughout the entire game, until Congo’s forward Silas scored an equalizer in the 76th minute, decreasing the chances for Morocco for an early qualification.
Having earned 4 points now in the group standings, Morocco will have to win its third game in order to qualify for the round of 16.
Fueled with the fighting spirit that Moroccan head coach Walid Regragui has instilled in his players’ and fans’ minds from the latest World Cup in Qatar, Morocco debuted its AFCON journey with a stunning 3-0 victory over its Tanzanian counterpart on January 17.
After 48 years without winning a trophy, the rising generation of football players hopes to experience victory this time by defending a title in the ongoing tournament.
Congo’s first meeting with Zambia, also former champions, saw the neighboring nations tie the final score at 1-1, earning one point each in the group standings.
The Congolese Leopards’ trophy cabinet boasts two African cups, won in 1968 and 1974. The team has, therefore, gone into the competition aiming to hold a third championship in hand.
Morocco’s last group stage game will take place on January 24 against Zambia at the San Pedro Stadium, and will begin at 8:00 p.m. Moroccan Time.
