FOOTBALL – SADIO Mane scored for Senegal as they came from behind to draw 1-1 with the Democratic Republic of Congo yesterday and kept top place in Group D at the Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco.
Cedric Bakambu put the Congolese into the lead in the 61st minute but Mane equalised eight minutes later with his 51st goal for his country, one of the favourites to win the tournament.
The two countries both have four points from their opening two games and look set to progress comfortably into the last 16 with a final group game to come for each on Tuesday.
Senegal are ahead of DR Congo on goal difference in the standings after they beat Botswana 3-0 in their opening fixture on Monday while DR Congo edged past Benin 1-0 the same day.
Senegal had come from behind in September to beat DR Congo away in Kinshasa in a key World Cup qualifier and went on to book a place at next year’s finals in North America, providing an intriguing backdrop to Saturday’s Cup of Nations clash.
It meant the match was cagey at times with both sides careful in their approach although Nicolas Jackson had a couple of first-half chances for Senegal, coming close with close-in efforts.
Congo defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka had the ball in the net midway through the first half but it was offside.
They took the lead with a sweeping move forward with Theo Bongonda combining with Wan-Bissaka before firing a shot that Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy could only parry into the path of Bakambu, who finished from close range.
Senegal’s 17-year-old substitute Ibrahim Mbaye set up the equaliser for Mane with a mazy run, although he profited from Congo defender Arthur Masuaku suddenly stopping with a suspected Achilles tendon injury. Mbaye’s shot was stopped by DR Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi but fell for Mane to sweep home.
Senegal finish their group campaign against Benin while DR Congo play Botswana at the same time on Tuesday.
- Yohan Roche scored a deflected winner as Benin claimed a first-ever victory at the Africa Cup of Nations finals with a 1-0 Group D success against Botswana.
Benin move to three points from their opening two games, level with Senegal and Congo.
Benin took the lead in the 28th minute when Roche played a one-two in the box with captain Steve Mounie and his shot from 10 yards took a wicked deflection off a defender and into the net.
Benin finally celebrated a victory at the continental finals at the 16th attempt following their debut in 2004, and despite the fact they were quarter-finalists in 2019. They also have five draws to go with 10 defeats.
Botswana offered little going forward, though Mothusi Johnson struck the crossbar with a curling free-kick that beat the goalkeeper but not the frame of the goal.
Benin had several ?chances to add to their score, though Botswana goalkeeper Goitseone Phoko made an excellent low stop to deny Tamimou Ouorou.
Dodo Dokou then worked an excellent shooting chance 12 yards from goal in added time at the end of the game but fired over the bar with the goal gaping.
Botswana become the second team, after Benin, to lose their first five Cup of Nations matches after three defeats on debut in 2012 and an opening 3-0 loss to Senegal this year.
&uuid=(email))