Prime News Ghana

DR Congo holds Ivory Coast to a 2-2 draw in second AFCON game

By Michael Abayateye
Serey Die was Man of the Match
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Another sterling performance from DR Congo to hold defending champions Ivory Coast to a 2-2 draw in the second Group C match played today leaves qualification to last eight to be decided on the last round of group matches.

DR Congo were hoping to follow the footsteps of Senegal to secure early qualification to the next stage but could only manage a draw to keep them on top of the group with four points while Ivory Coast would have two points.

Neeskens Kebano gave DR Congo the lead in the 10th minute through a superb strike at the edge of the goal area but was cancelled out by Winfred Bone in the 26th minute.

Bony who started the game for the first time in the tournament and found the back of the net almost got the second but failed to get the right connection to score.

Then Junior Kabananga showed his class again and restored the lead for DR Congo in the 28th minute as the held on to the lead till recess.

Ivory Coast then came back strongly in the second half in search for the equalizer while DR Congo also managed to create some chances but could not consolidate their lead.

Skipper Serey Die then punished DR Congo for wasting their chances and found the back of the net with a long range strike in the 67th minute.

Cote D’voire pressed on to get the winner and made some changes to that effect with Salomon Kalou coming in for Max Gradel.

Kalou later found the back of the net but was ruled offside as both teams walked away with a point. Ivory Coast will be hoping to win their next game to qualify while a draw for DR Congo would send them through.

Ivory Coast captain Die was named Man of the Match following his splendid display on the day to secure a point for his side.

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