M. KisengeAFCON2023: Morocco forced to wait longer for round of sixteen qualification after draw with DR Congo
Reading Time: 3min | Sun. 21.01.24. | 19:36
Kenyan referee Peter Waweru Kamaku was tasked with controlling proceedings on the pitch with his compatriots Cheruiyot and Yiembe assisting him
Twists and turns are expected in final round of matches of Group F of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations after the top-ranked team in the continent Morocco played DR Congo to a one-all draw at the Laurent Pokou Stadium in San Pedro.
Consequently, the two teams will have to win their last group stage matches to advance to the round of sixteen.
The focus on the pitch might have fallen heavily on players from either side but a Kenyan, Peter Waweru Kamaku also had a share of it as he was the centre referee.
The experienced whistler was assisted by his compatriots Gilbert Cheruiyot and Stephen Yiembe who is making his first appearance in the tournament.
As anticipated Morocco were the better side in the opening minutes of the game and would take the lead in the sixth minute through Achraf Hakimi.
The Paris Saint Germain right-back was left unmarked at a corner from the Moroccan left, and would dispatch a sidefoot volley low into the net, beating the Congolese goalkeeper whose vision wasn’t great considering the clustered legs in the area.
The Leopards had a chance to level matters from the spot minutes late in the half after a VAR review but Cedric Bakambu watched his kick from the pot kiss the upright on his way out.
DR Congo were awarded the free hit from the spot after Selim Amallah handled in the area.
Fortunes swung in favour of Congo in the final half as they asked all manner of questions to the Moroccan area, looking to restore parity and qualify.
With the fact that the Atlas Lions beat DR Congo 5-2 on aggregate in a play-off to qualify for the last World Cup, revenge was also on the cards.
Second-half substitute Silas Katompa Mvumpa drew DR Congo level in the 76th minute, connecting a cut-back from Meshack Ellia.
Morocco kicked off the tournament with a comfortable 3-0 win over Tanzania while DR Congo came from a goal down to hold Zambia to a 1-1 draw.
Commotion and exchange of words was witnessed after Kamaku blasted the final whistle.
Trouble started when Morocco coach Walid Regragui confronted DR Congo skipper Cancel Mbemba triggering an ugly reaction from players and technical bench members from either side.
AFCON 2023- GROUP STAGE
Round 2
Thursday
Equatorial Guinea - Guinea Bissau 4-2 (1-1)
/Nsue 21, 51, 61, Miranda 46 - Orosco 37, Ze Turbo 90+3/
Ivory Coast - Nigeria 0-1 (0-0)
/Troost-Ekong 54 pen/
Egypt - Ghana 2-2 (0-1)
/Marmoush 69, M. Mohamed 74 - Kudus 45+3, 71/
Friday
Cape Verde - Mozambique 3-0 (1-0)
/Bebe 32, Ryan Mendes 51, Kevin Pina 69/
Senegal - Cameroon 3-1 (1-0)
/I. Sarr 16, H. Diallo 71, Mane 90+5 - Castelletto 83/
Guinea - Gambia 1-0 (0-0)
/A. Camara 69/
Algeria - Burkina Faso 2-2 (0-1)
/B. Bounedjah 51,90+5- M. Konate 45+3, B. Traore 71/
Mauritania-Angola 2-3 (1-1)
/Bouna 43, Koita 58 - Dala 30,50, Gilberto 53/
Tunisia - Mali 1-1 (1-1)
/Rafia 20 - Sinayoko 10/
Sunday
Morocco - DR Congo 1-1 (1-0)
/Hakimi 6 - Silas 76/
20:00: (2.30) Zambia (3.15) Tanzania (3.35)
23:00: (2.00) S.Africa (3.30) Namibia (4.00)
***odds are subject to change***
