World Cup 2022: Morocco snatch a draw in DR Congo, in the first leg
Congolese Cedric Bakambu.
AFP - JAVIER SORIANO
Text by: David Kalfa Follow
2 mins
The DR Congo and Morocco teams drew 1-1 in the last round of the African qualifiers for the 2022 FIFA World Cup on March 25 in Kinshasa.
Despite a lackluster performance, the Moroccans managed to equalise.
They will be in a strong position in the return match, Tuesday, March 29 in Casablanca.
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Advantage Morocco to win one of the five tickets reserved for Africa in the 2022 World Cup (November 21-December 18 in Qatar).
On March 25 in Kinshasa, the Moroccans snatched a rather happy 1-1 draw, after delivering a lackluster performance against DR Congo.
An unrecognizable Morocco
After an observation phase that lasts ten minutes, the Leopards indeed open the scoring with some success.
Striker Yoane Wissa finds the flaw in a curling shot deflected by the opposing defender, Romain Saïss.
Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou is lobbed: 1-0, 12th.
This goal seems to stun visitors, incapable of a vigorous reaction.
Lack of physical freshness?
Moroccan defenders are struggling.
They are often overtaken from the sides and from deep.
Illustration in the 29th minute, when Leopards striker Cédric Bakambu, served back, narrowly missed the 2-0, Nayef Aguerd narrowly intercepting a cross from Wissa.
After the break, Wissa still proved to be dangerous, his little curled shot skimming the left upright of Bounou (48th).
Penalty missed by Moroccans
The Moroccan team then seems on the verge of a knockout.
This is however the moment when the North Africans obtain a penalty for a handball error by Bakambu in his area.
But striker Ryan Mmaee shoots him well above (54th).
Galvanized, the locals tried to drive the point home, but defender Sammy Mmaee narrowly intervened in the feet of center forward Dieumerci Mbokani (60th) and Saïss in those of a Bakambu who had left to challenge Bounou (75th).
Painful end to the game for the DRC
The Congolese will quickly regret these missed opportunities.
In the 76th minute, on a long aerial ball, striker Ayoub El Kaabi delivered a header to Tarik Tissoudali whose half-volley hit home: 1-1.
Success has changed sides.
In the 80th, Bounou makes a superb save on a header from striker Ben Malango.
Then, in the 85th minute, DRC side Ngonda Muzinga was sent off for a foul on Achraf Hakimi.
The return match, on March 29 in Casablanca, promises to be complicated for the Congolese selection.
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