Zambia and DR Congo played out to a 1-1 draw in their 2023 Africa Cup of Nations Group F opener at Le Stade Laurent Pokou on Wednesday evening.
Kings Kagwa handed Avram Grant’s side the perfect start when they profited from some woeful defending as Lionel Mpasi was caught way off his line, which saw the Crvena zvezda midfielder slot the ball home into an empty net.
But the 23rd-minute opener lasted only four minutes before the Congolese hit back through Brentford forward Yaonne Wissa, as he netted from close range after being teed up by Cedric Bakambu.
Congo was fluent, and playing the style of football Sebastien Desabre has become synonymous with his time in Africa with Gael Kakuta the main orchestrator in the ten role, but for all their dominance they failed to draw any major saves from Toaster Nsabata.
However, in the second half, after the hour mark, there was a major scare when referee Bamlak Tessema issued a penalty for what was adjudged as a handball from Tandi Mwape – but to the relief of the Chipolopolo it was ruled out after consulting VAR.
The scoreline remained unchanged as Zambia managed to hold on to the point in the final stages with their group led by Morocco, who eased 3-0 past a ten-man Tanzania at the same venue in the earlier kickoff.
