Morocco 1-1 DR Congo: Silas Katompa Mvumpa earns point for DRC in Group F at Africa Cup of Nations

Silas Katompa Mvumpa came off the bench to earn a merited point for DR Congo in a 1-1 Group F draw with Africa Cup of Nations favourites Morocco.

Under sweltering conditions in San-Pedro, it was the 2022 World Cup semi-finalists who grabbed the lead when Achraf Hakimi headed home from the Hakim Ziyech corner on six minutes.

The DRC missed a penalty when Cedric Bakambu hit a post after VAR deemed Selim Amallah guilty of a handling offence.

But the underdogs did not relent and were rewarded for their perseverance when Silas tucked the ball into the net from fellow substitute Meschack Elia on 76 minutes from a robust contest full of no-nonsense tackles.

Morocco move onto four points at the top of Group F following their 3-0 win over Tanzania in their tournament opener, while the DRC have two points after a 1-1 draw with Zambia.

Morocco will win the group by beating Zambia on Wednesday with DRC Congo still well in the hunt for a last-16 spot before they conclude against Tanzania.

After reaching the last four of the 2022 World Cup, Morocco are rightly seen as favourites to claim their first AFCON since 1976, but they discovered against an obdurate DR Congo they will have to earn it.

After scoring early on, they could not build on their lead and could easily have lost a punishing physical battle late on.

They will probably be happy to accept a point amid such brutal humidity, but will also know this ultimately will not be good enough to claim the trophy.

The impressive VfB Stuttgart forward came off the bench to rescue a point for his country with a lovely finish as he brought an injection of menace to the match in the closing moments that clearly troubled Morocco.

Patson Daka salvaged ten-man Zambia a draw against Tanzania to deny Adel Amrouche's side a first-ever win at the tournament.

The Leicester City forward powered home a header from Clatous Chama's corner to cancel out Simon Msuva's 11th minute opener, and keep their last-16 hopes alive.

Zambia were reduced to ten men shortly before half-time when Rodrick Kabwe received a second yellow card following an aerial collision with Mbwana Samatta.

South Africa recovered from a 2-0 defeat to Mali in their AFCON opener with an emphatic 4-0 win over Namibia.

Percy Tau got Bafana Bafana off the mark from the penalty spot, while Themba Zwane scored twice - the first saw him meet Thapelo Morena's delivery with a ferocious strike, and added a second after making a surging run into the box.

Substitute Thapelo Maseko rounded off the scoring after Namibia goalkeeper Lloyd Kazapua's failed to deal with Teboho Mokoena's long ball.

Morocco: Yassine Bounou 7, Achraf Hakimi 7, Sofyan Amrabat 7, Nayef Aguerd 6, Ghanem Saiss 7, Hakim Ziyech, 6 Azzeddine Ounahi 6, Selim Amallah 6, Sofiane Boufal 6 Youssef En-Nesyri 6, Mohamad Chibi 6 Subs: Bilal El Khannouss 6, Amine Harit 6, Abde Ezzalzouli 6, Abde Ezzalzouli 6, Ayoub El Kaabi 6

DR Congo: Lionel M'Pasi 7, Henock Inonga Baka 7, Chancel Mbemba 7, Samuel Moutoussamy 6, Arthur Masuaku 7, Gedeon Kalulu 6, Charles Pickel 6, Gaël Kakuta 6, Yoane Wissa 7, Théo Bongonda 7, Cédric Bakambu 7 Subs: Silas Katompa Mvumpa 8, Aaron Tshibola 6, Fiston Mayele 6, Meschack Elia 7

6' GOAL FOR MOROCCO! (HAKIMI) Dream start for the 2022 World Cup semi-finalists as they move ahead via the delayed corner kick. Achraf Hakimi arrives to power a header into the net from the Hakim Ziyech delivery. A 1-0 lead for Atlas Lions. DR Congo caught cold.

36' VAR HAS DECIDED TO GET INVOLVED The referee has awarded a penalty to DR Congo. Selim Amallah has been penalised for using his hand in the air. And gets a booking too after the match official checked the VAR.

38' BUT THEY MISS THE PENALTY! DR Congo squander the chance to level up as Cédric Bakambu hits the right hand post of Yassine Bounou as the ball spins wide of the goal. Bounou can't believe that.

76' GOAL FOR DR CONGO! (SILAS) Morocco not dealing well with the ball over the top as Meschack Elia races onto the loose ball before crossing for fellow substitute Silas Katompa Mvumpa to tuck the finish into the net. 1-1. Lovely goal.

80' ALMOST A SECOND FOR THE LEOPARDS DR Congo causing all sorts of problems for Morocco on the break, The red shirts frantically hack the ball clear with Meschack Elia sending over the cross for Samuel Moutoussamy. Just couldn't apply finish. Game building towards a frantic conclusion.

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