Ivory Coast fight back to earn vital draw against DR Congo

Pre-tournament favourites Ivory Coast came from behind twice to grab a vital point against DR Congo and keep their hopes in the Africa Cup of Nations alive.

The fixture has produced eight goals in the last two AFCON encounters and it delivered again - Neeskens Kebano rifling DR Congo ahead in the opening ten minutes before Wilfried Bony levelled with a sharp header direct from the corner having missed a more simple earlier chance.

It looked as if Ivory Coast would then take charge, but DR Congo continued to impress following their opening victory over Togo and Junior Kabananga headed them back in front from Ndombe Mubele’s cross.

Ivory Coast upped the tempo in the second half and had their chances to level before substitute Serey Die’s deflected effort wrong-footed Vumi Matampi. And they even thought they’d snatched it right at the death, only for Salomon Kalou’s finish to be ruled out for offside.

A vital point for Ivory Coast? One point from two games could have spelled the end of their hopes in the tournament, but few would bet against them progressing now - with their final fixture against struggling Togo.

Junior Kabananga (DR Congo): He cored one and set up another and was a constant threat for his side on the night.

DR CONGO: Matampi 6, Issama 6, Ikoko 6, Tisserand 6, Kabananga 8, Kebano 7, Bokadi 6, Maghoma 6, Mbemba 7, Mbokani 6, Mubele 7. SUBS: Mulumbu 6, Mulumba 6, Bolingi 6.

IVORY COAST: Gbohouo 6, Kanon 6, Aurier 7, Traore 6, Bailly 6, Dojkoure 7, Kessie 6, Die 7, Zaha 5, Bony 7, Gradel 7. SUBS: Deli 6, Kalou 6.

9’ - GOAL! IVORY COAST 0-1 DR CONGO! A terrific finish from Kebano, rifling it low into the far corner straight from Kabananga’s throw. The Fulham man netting his fourth international goal.

22’ – CHANCE! A great ball finds Bony unmarked in the box but he plants his header over the bar.

26’ - GOAL! IVORY COAST 1-1 DR CONGO! Ivory Coast up the tempo and win a corner off Kanon. Gradel sends it in and Bony is on the end of it to head level!

28’ - GOAL! IVORY COAST 1-2 DR CONGO! Where was the marking as Kabananga is on hand to head home Mubele’s cross!

67’ - GOAL! IVORY COAST 2-2 DR CONGO! Die tries his luck and his effort is deflected slightly off Tisserand, wrong-footing the keeper and it creeps in at the near post.

90+2’ - GOAL RULED OUT! Kalou smashes home from the free kick at the far post and the flag goes up! It’s the correct call as he’s JUST offside.

The last three AFCON encounters between Ivory Coast and DR Congo have now produced 12 goals.