Super sub Tissoudali salvages Morocco precious draw against ten-man DR Congo

The decision from Moroccan head coach Vahid Halihodzic to bring on foward Tarik Tissoudali in the 70th minute of their crucial away game against Democratic Republic of Congo turned out to be a masterstroke in the end.

Trailing by a goal at the Stade des Martyrs in Kinshasa at the time, the inspired substitution only took six minutes to bear the desired effect as Tissoudali struck in the 76th minute to salvage a precious away goal for the Atlas Lions after the two teams played to a 1-1 draw in the first leg of the winner take it all 2022 Qatar FIFA World Cup playoff match.

For the opening seventy five minutes, things looked to be headed in favour of the home side who were backed by their vociferous fans in the stadium.

As early as the 12th minute, 25 year old Brentford foward Yoane Wissa had already given the home side some reason to cheer as he gave Congo the advantage.

After some neat work in the middle of the park, Edo Kayembe rolled the ball to Wissa who wriggled past the retreating Moroccan defense. On the edge of the box, the English Premier League stationed player cut back to his right foot before unleashing a powerful strike past Bono in the Morocco goal.

It is a strike that the home side comfortably held well until the half time break and even minutes after.

On the 54th minute however, that lead came under real threat when the Atlas Lions were awarded a penalty for a handball in the box.

Ryan Mmaee stepped up for the spot kick but the nervy 24 year old failed to restore parity as he blasted his effort without even troubling the keeper, much to the delight of the home fans who went back in song and dance after the some bated breath.

Twenty minutes to time, Mmaee was not lucky to survive on the pitch as he was replaced alongside Youssef En Nesyri with Tissoudali and Ayoub El Kaabi coming on in their stead.

That couple of changes proved to be what the doctor ordered as the two combined for the equalizer, Kaabi knocking a long ball down for Tissoudali who found the back of the net with the venomous strike that earned the precious away goal draw.

Congo's Glody Ngonda, who will miss the return leg, was sent off with five minutes left on the clock for a second bookable offence The deciding second leg fixture will take place on Tuesday in Casablanca, Morocco.