EBEBIYIN — Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) started their respective 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) football campaigns with a draw as they finished 1-1 at Estadio de Ebebiyin yesterday.
Chipolopolo were off to a blistering start as they took the lead in only the second minute of the clash. A cross from the left wing was poorly dealt with by Kidiaba who could only punch it as far as Given Singuluma. The TP Mazembe midfielder pounced to smash home his finish.
A mistake at the other end of the pitch almost cost Zambia as goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene spilled what should have been a simple take from a cross. The loose ball fell for Dynamo Kiev striker Dieumerci Mbokani, but his shot flew over the bar from close range.
The Leopards put Zambia under pressure as they went in search of the equaliser with Yannick Bolasie forcing a save from Mweene, who looked fragile between the sticks. DRC found the elusive leveller in the 66th minute as Bolasie opened his account at the 2015 Afcon. A loose ball rolled out to the edge of the Zambia area where the Crystal Palace winger was on hand to arrow it home. — Soccer Laduma