Defending AFCON champion Ivory Coast went into Friday's Group C fixture against DR Congo in search of a must-needed win on the back of a somewhat surprising stalemate against Togo.
Defending AFCON champion Ivory Coast went into Friday's Group C fixture against DR Congo in search of a must-needed win on the back of a somewhat surprising stalemate against Togo.
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But it was DR Congo that struck first, with Neeskens Kebano drilling a powerful effort into the bottom corner from 20 yards, sending the colorful Congolese contingent into raptures.
But it was DR Congo that struck first, with Neeskens Kebano drilling a powerful effort into the bottom corner from 20 yards, sending the colorful Congolese contingent into raptures.
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Unbeaten since February last year, Ivory Coast got one back courtesy of a thumping Wilfried Bony header.
Unbeaten since February last year, Ivory Coast got one back courtesy of a thumping Wilfried Bony header.
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But just minutes later, DR Congo had regained the lead. Junior Kabananga, a matchwinner against Morocco on Matchday one, wasn't content with a fine assist for Kebano and promptly scored his second of the tournament.
But just minutes later, DR Congo had regained the lead. Junior Kabananga, a matchwinner against Morocco on Matchday one, wasn't content with a fine assist for Kebano and promptly scored his second of the tournament.
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It was a captivating, end-to-end affair that neither side deserved to lose and, when Serey Die scored to make it 2-2, the elephants pushed for a winner. Salomon Kalou thought he'd put his name up in lights but the former Chelsea forward's injury-time effort was ruled out for offside.
It was a captivating, end-to-end affair that neither side deserved to lose and, when Serey Die scored to make it 2-2, the elephants pushed for a winner. Salomon Kalou thought he'd put his name up in lights but the former Chelsea forward's injury-time effort was ruled out for offside.
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In Group C's later game, Togo took a shock lead against Morocco, with Mathieu Dossevi slotting home after a rapid counter-attack.
In Group C's later game, Togo took a shock lead against Morocco, with Mathieu Dossevi slotting home after a rapid counter-attack.
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There was little over 10 seconds between Morocco's corner and Togo's goal, but the Atlas Lions came out fighting, with Aziz Bouhaddouz planting a header past Kossi Agassa to equalize.
There was little over 10 seconds between Morocco's corner and Togo's goal, but the Atlas Lions came out fighting, with Aziz Bouhaddouz planting a header past Kossi Agassa to equalize.
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From there, Herve Renard's men appeared to enjoy themselves, scoring a second just six minutes later courtesy of Romain Saiss.
From there, Herve Renard's men appeared to enjoy themselves, scoring a second just six minutes later courtesy of Romain Saiss.
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And when substitute Youssef El-Neysri beat the Togo goalkeeper easily at his near post, it was all over, sending Morocco second in the group behind DR Congo.
And when substitute Youssef El-Neysri beat the Togo goalkeeper easily at his near post, it was all over, sending Morocco second in the group behind DR Congo.
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