Crystal Palace’s Yannick Bolasie scored to rescue a point for DR Congo.
Given Singuluma put Zambia ahead after just 62 seconds in the opening game of Group B on Sunday. He lashed onto the ball on the edge of the box to give Zambia the lead. Bolasie levelled the score, having already had several attempts, in the 66th minute.
DR Congo had the better share of the chances in the game but failed to capitalise on them. Dieumerci Mbokani and Bolasie went closest but couldn’t find the net. DR Congo could have pulled the goal back five minutes after conceding when Zambia goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene spilled a cross, but Mbokani fired over the bar from just six yards out.
Bolasie posed lots of threat to Zambia on the left flank as DR Congo mounted pressure on the holders. His powerful left foot drive forced Mweene into making a save just over the half hour mark. He also saw his free kick sail just inches wide after it took a wicked not long before the half-time break. Another chance went begging as Mbokani turned the ball from goal after he received a cross from Firmin Mubele.
Finally DR Congo’s pressure paid off as Mbokani and Bolasie combined well to produce the equalizer just over hour mark. Mbokani picked up Bolasie with a cut back ball, and the Crystal Palace man fired the ball into the top-left corner.
Mbokani again almost had the final say of the game with and overhead kick, forcing a save from Mweene on the 83rd minute. Zambia held on to pick up a point in what was an entertaining game of football.
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