Senegal and DRC Share Points in AFCON Clash
In an exhilarating face-off at the Africa Cup of Nations, Senegal battled to a 1-1 draw against the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on Saturday. Following a goal from Cedric Bakambu that gave the DRC the lead, Sadio Mane swiftly equalized, ensuring that Senegal remained at the top of Group D with one match left to play.
Match Overview
Located in Tangier, the encounter saw both teams grapple for dominance. Bakambu scored for the Leopards just after the hour mark, but Mane, playing for Al-Nassr, responded shortly after to level the score. Both teams are now tied on points, but Senegal’s superior goal difference keeps them on top ahead of their final group match against Benin on Tuesday.
Group Standings
Currently, Senegal leads Group D with four points, while DRC trails with an equal number. Benin sits at three points after securing a narrow 1-0 victory against Botswana earlier that day, with the latter struggling at the bottom without any goals or points to their name.
Historical Context
The match held significance as DRC sought to avenge a previous close defeat against Senegal during World Cup qualifying, where they were overturned from a 2-0 lead to lose 3-2. This prior encounter allowed Senegal to top their qualifying group and secure attendance at the upcoming finals in North America. DRC, while disappointed, still retained hopes of reaching the World Cup through a playoff against either New Caledonia or Jamaica in March.
Match Highlights
In this clash, Senegal dominated possession and created more chances. Nonetheless, it was DRC that broke the deadlock. In the 61st minute, Theo Bongonda’s shot—parried by Senegal’s goalkeeper Edouard Mendy—was deftly turned in by Bakambu. However, Senegal’s response was swift. Only eight minutes later, teenage substitute Ibrahim Mbaye launched an impressive run down the right flank, resulting in Mane capitalizing on a rebound to score his 10th goal in the AFCON tournaments, marking his sixth appearance in this prestigious competition.
Benin Achieves Historic Win
In a remarkable highlight of the day, Benin celebrated their first-ever victory at the Africa Cup of Nations finals by defeating Botswana 1-0 in Rabat. Yohan Roche scored the decisive goal, which came in the 28th minute following a clever one-two play with captain Steve Mounie. This win marked a significant achievement for Benin, who had participated in the tournament since 2004 and had previously experienced five draws and 10 defeats in their attempts.
Looking Ahead
With both teams aiming to secure their spots in the knockout stage, they’ll face off again in their next matches. Botswana will take on DRC while Benin challenges Senegal in what promises to be another thrilling day of football.
Key Takeaways
- Senegal and DRC ended their match in a balanced 1-1 draw, keeping Senegal at the top of Group D.
- Bakambu’s opening goal was equalized shortly after by Mane, ensuring both teams stay in contention.
- Benin marked a historic win by achieving their first-ever victory at the AFCON finals against Botswana.
- The upcoming matches will be critical as teams vie for a spot in the knockout stages.