DR Congo clinch last-16 place with goalless draw against Tanzania

By Sports Desk January 24, 2024

DR Congo progressed to the Africa Cup of Nations knockout stages and Tanzania bowed out after a 0-0 draw between the teams in Korhogo.

The second half saw Brentford’s Yoane Wissa denied by Tanzania goalkeeper Aishi Manula and send a further shot over as DR Congo drew a third game out of three in Group F.

Sebastien Desabre’s side finish second in the pool behind Morocco and will face Egypt in the last 16 on Sunday.

A turbulent campaign for Tanzania, which included head coach Adel Amrouche being suspended after making comments about Morocco’s football federation and assistant Hemed Suleiman stepping in as acting boss, concludes with them bottom with two points.

Former Chelsea man Gael Kakuta brought a comfortable catch out of Manula with an early free-kick before Tanzania captain Mbwana Samatta rifled a shot off target on the quarter-hour mark.

Manula got down to save a Wissa effort, although the forward was flagged offside.

And Manula then did well to come out and make a block with his legs in the 30th minute when Fiston Mayele was played in.

After the break, DR Congo’s efforts to break the deadlock included substitute Meschak Elia blazing a 73rd-minute shot into the stand when the ball fell to him in the box following a free-kick.

Five minutes later, Wissa attempted to send a lob over Manula, who managed to tip the ball away.

The Leopards’ late push continued with Cedric Bakambu heading too high and another Wissa shot fizzing just over before the final whistle confirmed Desabre’s men as through with another draw.

Related items

  • Milan 3-3 Genoa: Thiaw own goal denies Rossoneri in six-goal thriller Milan 3-3 Genoa: Thiaw own goal denies Rossoneri in six-goal thriller

    Milan were pegged back to a thrilling 3-3 draw by Genoa in Serie A on Sunday.

    Second-half goals from Matteo Gabbia and Olivier Giroud put Milan on course for victory, but a late own goal from Malick Thiaw rescued a point for the visitors.

    Genoa's Mateo Retegui converted a penalty five minutes in, but Milan equalised just before half-time through an Alessandro Florenzi header.

    The visitors regained the lead three minutes into the second half, however, when Caleb Ekuban sent a towering header home.

    Milan turned the game around in three minutes, as Gabbia headed home in the 72nd and Giroud scored the hosts' third of the match with a volley from an acute angle.

    Yet Genoa continued to push and a cross into the Milan box was inadvertently turned into his own net by defender Thiaw.

    Second-placed Milan have 71 points, six ahead of Juventus who play later on Sunday. Genoa are 12th with 43 points.

    Data Debrief: Like a fine wine

    Age really is just a number for Milan's veteran campaigner Giroud, who has scored 14 goals in Serie A this season.

    It is his highest tally in a single league campaign since netting 16 for Arsenal in the Premier League in 2015-16.

  • Reggae Girlz forward Jody Brown graduates from Florida State University Reggae Girlz forward Jody Brown graduates from Florida State University

    Reggae Girl and Florida State University soccer star Jody Brown celebrated a significant milestone this past weekend as she graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Humanities. At just 22 years old, Brown has achieved remarkable success both on the soccer field and in her academic pursuits.

    Brown was among 101 student-athletes who graduated from FSU between last Friday and Saturday.

    During her time at Florida State, Brown played a pivotal role in securing two National Division 1 Soccer titles in 2021 and 2023, adding to her impressive list of accolades. She was also part of four ACC Division One championship-winning teams in 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023, highlighting her exceptional talent and contribution to collegiate soccer.

    Brown's impact extended beyond the field, as she excelled academically, culminating in her graduation this year. Reflecting on her university experience, Brown took to Instagram to express her gratitude and nostalgia: "Four years of unforgettable memories, lessons, and lifelong friendships. Thank you Florida State University."

    Her Instagram post garnered warm congratulations from fellow Reggae Girlz teammates, including Khadija 'Bunny' Shaw, Kiki van Zanten, and Tiffany Cameron. Jamaican track and field icon Veronica Campbell Brown, a two-time Olympic gold medalist in the 200m, also joined in celebrating Brown's achievement.

    Brown's journey from representing Jamaica at the age of 16 to competing in the FIFA Women's World Cup in 2019 and 2023 underscores her dedication and talent both on and off the field. As she embarks on the next chapter of her career, Brown's achievements serve as an inspiration to aspiring athletes and scholars alike, demonstrating the power of determination, resilience, and academic excellence in pursuit of one's goals.

     

     

     

     

     

  • Eintracht Frankfurt 1-5 Bayer Leverkusen: Alonso's champions roll on Eintracht Frankfurt 1-5 Bayer Leverkusen: Alonso's champions roll on

    Bayer Leverkusen extended their unbeaten streak as they secured a 5-1 away victory at Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga on Sunday.

    The result leaves champions Leverkusen at the summit with 84 points, while Frankfurt sit sixth with 45.

    Leverkusen's record unbeaten run, meanwhile, has now extended to 48 matches across all competitions.

    Xabi Alonso's team opened the scoring through Granit Xhaka's bending strike from outside the box after 12 minutes.

    Hugo Ekitike's perfectly timed header restored parity just after the half-hour mark, however.

    Leverkusen retook the lead just before half-time through Patrik Schick's towering header.

    It was 3-1 in the 58th minute, Exequiel Palacios converting a penalty after Niels Nkounkou pulled Nathan Tella by the shirt.

    Jeremie Frimpong added a fourth for the visitors with 13 minutes remaining, tapping in from short distance, before the wing-back played a key role in Leverkusen's fifth, winning a penalty which was put away by Victor Boniface.

    Data Debrief: Club history for free-scoring Leverkusen

    Leverkusen have now scored 82 goals in this Bundesliga season, a new season record for the Werkself in the top flight.

    They also lead the Bundesliga for the most goals from long-distance (11), most goals from set-pieces (23) and most goals in the final 15 minutes of matches (19).

© 2023 SportsMaxTV All Rights Reserved.