Group B blown wide open as Cape Verde and DR Congo settle for a goalless draw.
Both teams drew in their first games and needed a win to get closer to the quarter-final round.
Group B has seen three draws in the opening four games- a sign of how tight and difficult it has become in this tournament.
Cape Verde 0:0 DR Congo
Cape Verde were the better side in the first half but failed to take the opportunities that came their way. On the other hand DR Congo took charge of the game in the second half and also failed to make the most of it.
The game started with a bang as Kuca fired wide and high after some beautiful passing move from Cape Verde after five minutes. Kuca won a free kick for Cape Verde as their impressive start continued. Babanco struck the free kick just wide with goalkeeper Muteba Kidiaba scrambling across his line.
DR Congo gradually picked the momentum off Cape Verde but on the 31st minute Cape Verde created their best chance of the half. Babanco sent in a free kick from the left, it eluded everyone except Calu at the back post but he only headed the ball into the arms the opponent goalkeeper. Kuca was at it again as he lost his marker and made the run towards goal only to be stopped by a well-timed challenge. Yannick Bolasie showed what he was capable of, he drove at the defence of Cape Verde and fired a low shot just wide. DR Congo were getting better as the half went on.
DR Congo started the second half were they stopped, they came back the better side. On the 53rd minute Cedrick Mabwati dribbled from the left and unleashed a shot side netting. The tempo of the game dropped as both sides got tired and looked to settle for a draw. Cape Verde almost won the game in the 85th minutes from a corner. They committed bodies into the box for the corner, Kidiaba palmed Fernando Varela’s header away and reacted quickly to save the follow up from Gege.
Kidiaba was busy in the closing stages of the game, he was called into action to deny Heldon two minutes from time. The game ended in a draw as both teams failed to make the most of their opportunities.
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