A 86th-minute strike from Carly Ekongo helped Congo to hold Sudan to a one-all stalemate in the opening Group D fixture of the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) at the Amaan Stadium on Tuesday afternoon, with both sides settling for a point in their pursuit of knockout stage qualification.
The biennial competition, reserved exclusively for players plying their trade in domestic African leagues, saw its first-ever meeting between Congo and Sudan deliver drama, intensity, and late heroics in front of a lively crowd in Zanzibar.
Musa Hussien gave Sudan the lead in the 29th minute, before Carly Ekongo’s 86th-minute strike ensured Congo began their fifth CHAN campaign without defeat.
It was Sudan who looked the more purposeful in the early exchanges, testing Congo goalkeeper Ulrich Samba with a barrage of set-pieces and half-chances.
Salah Adil headed wide from close range in the 10th minute, while Abdel Raouf Yagoub pulled the strings from midfield.
The opening goal came on the half-hour mark after sustained pressure from the Sudanese.
A double effort from Hussien—his first blocked by Samba—saw the striker pounce on the rebound and calmly slot the ball into the bottom corner from close range, putting Sudan 1-0 up.
Congo responded through Chadrac Osseby and Charles Atipo, both coming close before the break. However, the Red Devils struggled to find rhythm in the first half, trailing 1-0 at the interval.
The draw marks Congo’s first goal in open play in over three CHAN matches, ending a scoreless drought that dated back to 2020.
For Sudan, the result extends their winless run in open play at CHAN to five matches, but it also signals a step forward after a disappointing 2022 campaign.
Both teams will now turn their attention to their upcoming fixtures in Group D, where every point could prove vital in a tightly contested group.
Congo next face title holders Senegal, while Sudan prepare for a potentially decisive clash against Nigeria.
