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African Cup of Nations Top favorites Senegal were held to a 1-1 draw in their second match of the tournament, but remain on course to finish top of Group D and qualify for the round of 16.
Cédric Bakambu scared the Lions of Teranga in Tangier by giving the advantage to DR Congo an hour before the former Liverpool man Sadio Mané equalized eight minutes later.
Senegal largely dominated possession, but a stalemate proved to be a rather fitting outcome between two teams with hopes of going far in the competition.
How the action took place
In the 12th minute, Aaron Wan-Bissaka had the ball in the Senegalese net but the goal was quickly ruled out for offside during the build-up.
On the other side, Nicolas Jackson came close when he deflected a shot from Sadio Mané’s withdrawal.
The Chelsea loanee perhaps should have done better with this opportunity, but failed to find the same clinical edge as was on display in the Botswana match.
Crystal Palace’s Ismaila Sarr then had a great opportunity to open the scoring but he too couldn’t find the target.
At this point, Senegal dominated the ball. Mané saw an effort fly over before Pape Gueye hit a curling shot which Lionel Mpasi in the Congo goal equalized.
After an opening score of 45 scoreless, Senegalese goalkeeper Edouard Mendy was called upon for the first time in the match, keeping away a fierce strike from Noah Sadiki.
Despite all of Senegal’s possession in the first half, the joint tournament favorites fell behind shortly after the hour mark when Bakambu scored after a Wan-Bissaka cross from the right caused confusion in the box.
The lead lasted eight minutes. Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye was set up on the right side before his shot was saved by Mpasi. The rebound went to Mané who touched it before finishing in front of two Congolese defenders on the line.
The Teranga Lions continued to look for victory but no victory ever materialized and Senegal had to settle for a hard-earned point but remain top of their group on goal difference.
