Senegal 1-1 DR Congo: Sadio Mane scores as Teranga Lions are held but remain unbeaten at AFCON
The former Liverpool man was on target in Tangier
Africa Cup of Nations joint-favourites 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 progress to the knockout stages.
Cedric Bakambu gave the Teranga Lions a scare in Tangier when he poked DR Congo ahead after an hour before former Liverpool man Sadio Mane levelled eight minutes later.
Senegal largely dominated possession but a stalemate proved to be a rather suitable outcome between two sides with hopes of going far in the competition.
How the action unfolded
In the 12th minute, Aaron Wan-Bissaka had the ball in the Senegal net but the goal was quickly ruled out for offside in the build-up.
At the other end, Nicolas Jackson went close when he steered an effort wide from Sadio Mane’s cut-back.
The Chelsea loanee perhaps should have done better with the chance, but failed to find the same clinical edge he showcased in the match against Botswana.
Crystal Palace’s Ismaila Sarr then had a great opportunity to open the scoring but he too could not find the target.
By this point, Senegal were dominating the ball. Mane saw an effort fly over before Pape Gueye struck a curling effort that Lionel Mpasi in the Congo goal was equal to.
After a goalless opening 45, Senegal keeper Edouard Mendy was called into action for the first time in the match, beating away a fierce strike from Noah Sadiki.
For all Senegal’s possession in the first-half, the tournament joint-favourites fell behind shortly after the hour mark when Bakambu prodded home after a Wan-Bissaka cross from the right caused confusion in the box.
The lead lasted all of eight minutes. Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye was put through down the right-hand side before his shot was saved by Mpasi. The rebound fell to Mane who took a touch before finishing past two Congolese defenders on the line.
The Teranga Lions pushed on in search of victory but a win never materialised and Senegal had to settle for a hard-earned point but remain top of their group on goal difference.