Democratic Republic of Congo were held 1-1 by Tanzania at Stade TP Mazembe on Thursday in the opening Group J qualifier for the 2022 World Cup.
The Leopards should have claimed the lead in the fifth minute, with Chadrac Akolo doing great work to tee up Chancel Mbemba with a clear chance in the penalty area, but the wingback struck his effort into the side netting.
Another fine chance for the hosts arrived in the 19th minute, with Yannick Bolasie cross from the left picking out Cedric Bakambu, but the diminutive striker couldn’t get over the header and direct an effort on target.
In the 23rd minute DR Congo took the lead after some swift passing saw Dieu Merci Mbokani in space inside the box and he made no mistake with a clinical finish, 1-0.
Tanzania hit back almost immediately levelling the game at 1-1 in the 36th minute when Novatus Miroshi put Simon Msuva into space and the striker sent a wonderful effort past Joël Kiassumbua.
Taifa Stars had a chance to extend their lead when Erasto Nyoni met a cross from Nickson Kibabage, but the former saw his shot from just inside the box go inches over the crossbar.
That proved to be the last bit of goal-mouth action, as the sides entered the halftime break with the score level at 1-1.
Msuva seemed to be DR Congo’s main threat for most of the encounter and he nearly doubled his tally in the 53rd when he forced Kiassumbua into a fine save.
The Leopards pushed for a winning goal in the final 20 minutes, as they struck the crossbar, while Ben Malango forced Aishi Manula into a good stop.
Kiassumbua came to DR Congo’s rescue in the 79th minute, as the shot-stopper produced a good save to keep out Feisal Salum’s strike from distance.
Both sides had chances to win the game in the final stages of the second half, with Malango being denied by Manula, while Erasto Nyoni missed a chance of his won.
