Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) forced forrmer African champions Senegal, to a 1-1 draw in their Group D Match Day 2 encounter at the Grand Stade de Tanger in Tangier on Saturday.
Senegal came from behind to draw with DR Congo as both sides edged a step closer to a place in the last 16.
Senegal and former Liverpool forward Sadio Mané was the TotalEnergies CAF Man of the Match in the Senegal vs DR Congo encounter, after he helped the West African side earn a point – netting his 10th goal at Afcon on his 24th appearance at the finals.
Cedric Bakambu put the Leopards in front from close range just after the hour mark in Tangier, capitalising on the rebound as Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy failed to hold onto Theo Bongonda’s low effort.
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But the West Africans equalised eight minutes later as substitute Ibrahim Mbaye burst through the defence and tested Congolese keeper Lionel Mpasi, with Sadio Mane showing composure to tuck the loose ball past the covering Aaron Wan-Bissaka on the line.
Senegal top the group on four points, ahead of the Leopards on goal difference, with Benin third on three points and Botswana pointless and on the brink of elimination after they were beaten 1-0 by the Cheetahs earlier on Saturday.
The final round of Group D fixtures take place on Tuesday (15:00 GMT), with Senegal remaining in Tangier to face Benin, while DR Congo return to Rabat to play Botswana.
Four points should realistically be enough for both Senegal, champions at the 2021 Afcon, and DR Congo, semi-finalists last time out, to progress – but the group winners will have the benefit of playing a third-placed finisher in the next round.
