DR. Congo secured qualification for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), last 16 following a goalless draw with the now-eliminated Tanzania, who are still waiting for their first-ever win at the tournament after nine matches.
DR. Congo face off with Tanzania in the final Group F encounter. This clash pitted two sides yet to taste victory in AFCON after their opening two group games, leading to an understandably tentative start. Gaël Kakuta tested the water early on for DR Congo with a free-kick which sailed straight into Aishi Manula, while Lionel Mpasi Nzau made a comfortable save to keep out Feisal Salum’s effort down the other end.
Tanzania began to make their presence felt in a bid to upset the odds, as Ally Samatta shot wide following some promising build-up play. Brentford man Yoane Wissa looked to add a touch of Premier League class to the proceedings, as he embarked on a mazy run through the Tanzania defence, but was easily denied by Manula.
The Tafia Stars shot-stopper then had to be alert to thwart Fiston Mayele, after the Pyramids forward latched onto a perfectly-weighted through ball.
The cagey nature of this contest had suited the Taifa Stars better, but Hemed Suleiman’s side had yet to register a shot on target heading into the second half.
Their attacking Woes were best summed up when Simon Msuva found himself in a promising position deep inside the DR Congo box, but his subsequent shot left Mpasi Nzau completely untroubled. Wissa almost scored that elusive winner with a sublime looping effort that was superbly parried over the bar by Manula.
A point was enough for Sébastien Desabre’s men to get the job done and progress with three draws from their three group stage fixtures. Egypt are their opponents in the last 16, and on the evidence of tonight’s match, any DR Congo hopes of lifting the trophy come February 11 appear fanciful at best. Meanwhile, the quest for a Tanzania win at AFCON continues, as the Tafia Stars finish bottom of Group F.
