DRC trump Morocco as Ivory Coast and Togo draw

17 January 2017 - 10:01 By Nick Said
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Tendai Ndoro of Orlando Pirates during the Absa Premiership match between Maritzburg United and Orlando Pirates at Harry Gwala Stadium on January 16, 2016 in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.
Tendai Ndoro of Orlando Pirates during the Absa Premiership match between Maritzburg United and Orlando Pirates at Harry Gwala Stadium on January 16, 2016 in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.
Image: Steve Haag/Gallo Images

Democratic Republic of Congo's Junior Kabananga struck early in the second half to earn a 1-0 win for his country over Morocco in their opening Africa Nations Cup match in Oyem, Gabon, last night.

Kabananga turned the ball home in the 55th minute after Firmin Mubele's low cross was misjudged by Morocco goalkeeper Munir Mohamedi, who made a poor clearance at the near post.

DR Congo played the last nine minutes of the Group C match with 10 men after substitute Joyce Lomalisa was sent off for a second yellow card after only 16 minutes on the pitch.

Morocco were denied an equaliser in the closing minutes when DR Congo goalkeeper Ley Matampi made a brilliant stop to block Youssef El Arabi's header.

Ivory Coast were held to a 0-0 draw by Togo as they began the defence of their Afcon title with an uninspiring display in the opening Group C game also in the northern town of Oyem earlier yesterday. - Reuters, AFP

  • Orlando Pirates have been sending good luck messages to the club's Zimbabwe forward Tendai Ndoro but they must be privately hoping his team is knocked out at the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon. That's because Pirates will be desperate to have their star striker on February 3 to take on Bidvest Wits.
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