Congo & Tanzania cancel each other out in Group E

Congo gave a good account of themselves in their latest CAF Fifa World Cup qualifier this week, following a tense 1-1 draw with Tanzania at the Alphonse Massamba-Debat Stadium on Friday night.

The game commenced at a slow pace in Brazzaville, as neither side created any notable scoring chances in the first 15 minutes. However, Tanzania looked slightly more assured in possession but played most of their game inside their own half.

Tanzania remained the more progressive side on the ball but did little to trouble the Congolese defensive unit. At the other end of the pitch, Congo struggled to get the ball up field.

With nothing separating Congo and Tanzania in the first-half, the referee blew his whistle with the score remaining at 0-0.

The game remained a tight affair after the restart, however, Congo began seeing more success in the ball possession count. Nevertheless, a lack of cutting edge was evident from both sides midway through the second-half.

Then, following a sustained period of play by Congo, the home side took the lead in the 68th minute as Dechan Moussavou sent the Brazzaville crowd into a state of elation with his effort.

Congo surrendered their lead late into the game, as teenager Selemani Mwalimu came off the bench to level the scoring for the Taifa Stars in the 84th minute.

The game fizzled out during stoppage time while both sides attempted to take the direct route in search of a winner. Nonetheless, the game eventually came to a close with the score remaining at 0-0 at the end of the 90 minutes.

Congo: (0) 1 (Moussavou 68’)

Tanzania: (0) 1 (Mwalimu 84’)

Congo: Bonazebi, Mbemba, Itoua, Kapaya, Atipo, Nongo (Vincent 41’), Massanga, Loemba, Koto (Mavoungou 87’), Bassinga, Moussavou

Tanzania: Suleiman, Kapombe (Mwaikenda 74’), Job, Hamad, Msindo (Mohamed 60’), Yahya (Mwalimu 75’), Salum, Miroshi, Msuva (Suleiman 60’), Mzize (Nado 88’), Samatta