DR Congo played its qualification for the round of 16 of CAN 2024 against Tanzania, Wednesday January 24, at the Amadou Gon Coulibaly stadium in Korhogo.
And the objective is fulfilled for the Leopards, who at the same time benefit from Morocco's victory against Zambia (1-0) to secure second place in Group F.
At the start of the match, Tanzania is playing in 4-1-4-1 and DR Congo is arranged in 4-2-3-1.
The Leopards try to put pressure on the Tanzanians from the start of the match, but the Taifa Stars are well established in their half.
Tanzania has few opportunities to project itself, so it tries from afar when it can, like this off-target shot from Msuva from 30 meters (6th), or this shot from Salum blocked by Batubinsika (13th). ).
The DR Congo tries, for its part, to strike in particular through its winger Wissa, who obtains a free kick well placed in the axis transformed by Kakuta.
But Manula catches the ball without worry (11th).
A few minutes later, it was Samatta who was found in the Congolese area, but his unscrewed shot ended far from the target of Mpasi (15th).
The Taifa Stars are playing without complexes at the start of the match, and the Leopards have been more in control for a few minutes.
DR Congo is struggling more and more to gain the upper hand over Tanzania in the game... Unless Wissa finds the fault: on an overflow, the winger strikes back and hits low, but Manula lies down well on the ball (23rd).
Mayele then appears alone against Manula, but the Tanzanian goalkeeper puts his body in opposition to repel this new Congolese opportunity (30th).
The Leopards have another chance to take the lead on a free kick from Wissa, but his shot is finally deflected for a corner by the wall (32nd).
Another shiver runs through the Tanzanian defense, but Manula is still vigilant to grab the ball (33rd).
Moutoussamy also goes for his shot on a serve from Mayele, but the ball flies into the stands of the Amadou Gon Coulibaly stadium in Korhogo (35th).
DR Congo has so far qualified for the round of 16 and Tanzania has been eliminated.
In the stands, a clamor of joy goes up: Morocco has just opened the score in the other match against Zambia, which could be synonymous with qualification... for Ivory Coast.
On the field, the Leopards did not let themselves be caught by Tanzania in the final moments of the first period.
Return to the locker room with a score of 0-0.
An inspiration from Wissa in the second half... and that's it
The second act resumes at a moderate pace.
The Tanzanians fail to project themselves, and DR Congo controls the ball without making any inroads into the Taifa Stars defense.
The hour of play is approaching, and still no goal on the scoreboard.
It is true that we would need opportunities for that, and the second half has not seen any so far.
The Leopards rotate the ball and try to find their attackers, but the first strike of the second act from Wissa is easily countered by a Tanzanian defender (61st).
The match now looks like an exercise in managing efforts on both sides... DR Congo seems to need fresh blood, and Bakambu and Tshibola enter the field (68th).
The Leopards are quickly imitated by Tanzania, who bring in Yassin (71st).
Offensive movements are rare during this second half, so when DR Congo gets a well-placed free kick we start dreaming of an opportunity.
But Meschack, upon resuming the set piece in the penalty area, does not fit (73rd).
No matter: Morocco still leads against Zambia in the other match, which ensures second place in Group F for the Leopards for the moment.
Wissa does not seem to be resigned to sharing points with the evening's opponent: he attempts a subtle lobbed shot on Manula, but the Tanzanian goalkeeper manages to slam the ball with his fingertips for a corner (77th).
Wissa, again, finds himself on the receiving end of a cross and fires a powerful shot from six meters, but the ball escapes the Tanzanian frame (85th).
Nothing will happen other than these two flashes in the night of the second half.
But the main thing is there for the Leopards: they will taste the flavor of a round of 16 of the African Cup of Nations.
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