DR Congo and Morocco played to a 1-1 draw in their first leg of third round African 2022 World Cup qualifying in Kinshasa on Friday.
The home side got off to the perfect start with Yoane Wissa finding the back of the net for the Congolese twelve minutes into the game, 1-0.
Morocco, though, were not to be outdone and hit back in the 76th minute courtesy of a strike from Tarik Tissoudali, 1-1.
Ryan Mmaee who barely misses from the spot, saw his 55th minute penalty went over the bar with DR Congo goalkeeper Joseph Kiassumbua well positioned.
DR Congo had a bright start after keeping goalkeeper Yassine Bounou busy, as the Sevilla man pulled off a massive save in the seventh minute to keep out Cedric Bakambu’s shot towards a gaping net.
The Leopards eventually opened the scoring in the 12th minute after a bright pass from the midfield sent Wissa through on goal and he smashed a low strike past Bounou at the near post.
Morocco were forceful going forward as Youssef En-Nesyri came close came close to giving them an equalizer in the 29th minute with a cracking strike from outside the box that was parried away by shot-stopper Kiassumbua at full stretch.
The game continued to open up in the closing phase of the first stanza, with Vahid Halilhodžić charges looking to hurt DR Congo on counter-attacks but there were no clear chances.
The Leopards were absorbing the pressure in the early stages of the second stanza, denying Atlas Lions chances but Sofyan Amrabat came the closest to finding an equalizer for the visitors on the hour-mark with a glancing header from a corner that sailed slightly over the bar.
Ryan Mmaee missed a chance from the spot after the ball struck the outstretched arm of Cedric Bakumbu as it came off the head of a Moroccan.
DR Congo were more adventurous on transitions in the latter stages and refreshed their attack at the hour mark as Yannick Bolaise replaced Chadrac Akolo.
Morocco found an equalizer in the 76th minute when Tarik Tissoudali received a great pass and he didn’t think twice about it and fired a shot into the net to make it 1-1.
Disaster then struck fo DR Congo in the 85th as they were reduced to 10 men. Ngonda Mzinga lunged into a tackle on Moroccan attacker with studs showing and was shown a red card for his troubles.
The second leg will be played on 29 March with Morocco aiming for a second consecutive World Cup and sixth overall.
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