CAN 2024 qualifiers: DR Congo recovers by dominating Mauritania

Congolese Cédric Bakambu. (File image) JAVIER SORIANO / AFP

Text by: Ndiasse Sambe Follow

2 min

Last in Pool I before this third day, DR Congo scored its first points in these qualifiers by winning in Lumumbashi against Mauritania (3-1). The Mourabitounes played ten for more than an hour.

Advertising

Read more

The captain of the Leopards, Chancel Mbemba had spoken of "final" on the eve of this meeting of the third day of the qualifiers of the CAN 2024. But by winning in a sold-out stadium in Lubumbashi, the Congolese won only the "first half" of this double confrontation against Mauritania. The return match is in five days and Act II in Nouakchott promises.

In the meantime, the DRC is relishing this success that keeps it alive, allows it to overtake Sudan in the standings and return to one point of the Mourabitounes. After that, it will be time to think about catching up with the leader, Gabon, four points ahead.

In this meeting, Sébastien Desabre's men had a lot of trouble against a Mauritanian team that was very well organized and that conceded neither spaces nor opportunities to its opponents. At least in the first 20 minutes. Because, the turning point of the match will come in the 23rd minute with the expulsion of the striker Idrissa Thiam, guilty of a dangerous tackle on Elia Meschack, forced to give up his place after this big foul.

CAN 2024 Qualifying: Calendar, results, rankings

At ten, Amir Abou's men suffer the law of the Leopards with a first claw from Gaël Kakuta who opens the score (37th), well served by Yoane Wissa. Five minutes later, it was Cédric Bakambu who doubled the score just before half-time (42nd).

The Mauritanians thought they were reviving after an individual feat by Aly Abeid (55th), but Arthur Masuaku, with a strike from 25 meters in the middle of the window, put an end to all suspense (67th).

See you on Tuesday, March 28 in Nouakchott for the "second period".

⚽️ End of the match! The Leopards 🐆 return to victory !!! 👏🏿
DRC's solid 3-1 🇨🇩win over Mauritania 🇲🇷. The first part of the mission is fulfilled ✅

Now focus on Tuesday's meeting!! #RDC #Congo #RDCMAU #CAN2023 pic.twitter.com/fKAtCca4bo

— Leopard Leader Foot (@leopard243) March 24, 2023

Newsletter Receive all the international news directly in your mailbox

I subscribe

Follow all the international news by downloading the RFI application

Read on on the same topics:

  • CAN
  • CAN 2024
  • DRC
  • Football
  • Sports