COMMENTARY FOR ZAMBIA VS CONGO FULL TIME! Honours are even in the first game in Group B, with DR Congo recovering from conceding an early goal to draw 1-1 with Zambia. Singulumas striker gave Janzas men the perfect start, but their opposition proved too strong in the end. A point isnt great for either side, but theyd rather come away with something than nothing! 90 + 4 After extensive treatment, Mweene is permitted to continue and rejoins the action by punting the resulting free kick directly out of play. Kangwa breaks down the left-hand side moments later, but his cross is charged down well. 90 + 2 Mweene is absolutely flattened by Mbemba! A free kick is whipped in from the left-hand side, with the Zambia goalkeeper racing out to try and claim in the face of the Anderlecht defender. It only ends in one way, Mweene in a dazed heap in the floor! 90 There are three minutes of stoppage time. 89 DR Congo are forced into a couple of hurried clearances, as Zambia continue to press without a real focal point. The lack of any forward options to support Mayuka is glaring. The opposition break, with Mbokani trying to feed Bolasie in behind, but Mweene is able to claim ahead of the goalscorer. 87 Mbokani is penalised for a foul on Mtonga, while Sinkala continues to struggle with an injury on the sideline. The Grasshopper midfielder has been excellent in this game and his coach wont want to see him sitting out for an extended period of time. 86 SubstitutionNathan Sinkala Christopher Munthali 85 The stretcher is back in use once again, with Musonda being readied as a replacement on the Zambia bench due to injury. DR Congo are still looking for a winner, but their opposition would probably take a point right now if it was offered to them. 83 MBOKANI GOES CLOSE! The DR Congo man tries an ambitious overhead kick, which he cant make good contact with! Mweene manages to push the tame effort away, before Zambia hurriedly put the ball behind for a corner! Outrageous stuff from Mbokani, anyway! 82 Yellow CardNathan Sinkala 81 Bolasie and Sinkala collide in the centre of the park, with extended treatment required for both players - though they both return to their feet before long. Were into the final ten minutes of this contest! 80 Suddenly, Zambia are resurgent, with their captain Kalaba leading the charge from midfield. DR Congo have been dominant for long periods, but Janzas men are finally looking slightly positive. Whether this leaves space for their opponents on the break, remains to be seen! 78 Kalaba delivers a Zambia corner from the left-hand side, but Mtongas near-post flick on is dealt with and put behind for another set piece by Kabananga. DR Congo actually manage to remove the danger second time around. 76 Kidiaba is easily able to claim a free-kick delivery, as Zambia continue to struggle to create any chances. Theyve been narrow and have lacked any kind of creativity in this second half. 74 SubstitutionRonald Kampamba Mukuka Mulenga 74 The aforementioned set piece is half cleared, falling to Mulumbu on the edge of the box! The West Bromwich Albion midfielder shoots from 20 yards out, but sees his effort easily blocked by a wall of green shirts! Mulenga replaces the injured Kampamba, meanwhile. 73 Kampamba goes down with an injury, which leads to the physios coming onto the field. The stretcher is brought on for the Zambia striker, meaning that his side are a man down for defending a DR Congo corner. 71 Lungu shoots from about 25 yards out, but Kidiaba is more than content to gather up the tame effort. Kabananga is involved down the other end moments later, with the substitute screwing a shot just wide of the upright after rushing himself! 70 Bolasie drives inside from the left-hand side, before feeding Kabananga! The substitute lets fly from 25 yards, but Mweene is comfortably able to get down to his right and smother! 68 Yellow CardGiven Singuluma 68 Well, the remaining 20 minutes are bound to be interesting now! Singuluma picks up a yellow card, following a poor challenge on Mbokani. DR Congo have the momentum and will push for a winning goal. 67 SubstitutionEmmanuel Mayuka Evans Kangwa 66 AssistJoel Kimwaki 66 GoalYannick Bolasie GOOOOOOOOOOAL! BOLASIE EQUALISES FOR DR CONGO! The ball spills out to the edge of the box, before the Crystal Palace winger slams a great finish into the top-left corner! Kidiaba is skipping about on his rear end, of course! 64 SubstitutionHervé Kage J. Kabananga 64 Junior Kabananga is now introduced for DR Congo too, as their coach looks to shuffle his pack and change his nations fortunes. Its an offensive switch, which just might pose Zambias solid backline more questions. Mbokani wont be quite so isolated anymore. 63 SubstitutionN. Mubele Cedric 62 DR Congo prepare a double substitution, but Mabwati is set to take to the field first. Ibenge is clearly unhappy with his sides lack of penetration thus far, despite Mubele providing some good service from the right in the second half. 60 Mubele breaks down the right-hand side once again, but this time Mtonga is able to address the danger and tackle the DR Congo man. Mbokani is struggling to link up play for his side, with errant touches proving costly. 58 Kage and Bolasie continue to be the livewires for DR Congo, but an opening goal is proving elusive. If an equaliser was forthcoming, this game would be turned on its head, as Zambia are set up rather negatively and would have to react as a result. 56 Bolasie curls a free-kick delivery in from the left-hand side, which turns into a cross-cum-shot. Mweene is able to catch from just underneath his crossbar, with relative ease. 54 Sinkala plays a wonderful ball into Mayuka, after robbing Mbokani of possession, but the Southampton striker is caught just offside - and wrongly, it must be said. Moments later, the Dynamo Kiev forward is fed some service, but fires wide from the periphery of the box. 53 DR Congo continue to be much better on the ball, with Zambia having few ideas other than giving it to Mayuka and hoping that their striker can either create a chance or win a free kick. Singuluma is brought down in the penalty area, but the referee doesnt award a penalty - in fairness, there were no appeals either. 51 Play gets back underway, after a minute or so, given that Mweene might have been trodden on slightly by Kage. Moments later, Mayuka manages to earn his side a free kick, which Sinkala delivers but Kidiaba claims. 49 Mweene is able to race out and claim a through ball that was poked into Kages path, as DR Congo go close again. Their final ball just hasnt been quite good enough, with Zambias goalkeeper briefly needing treatment in the aftermath. 47 MBOKANI FIRES HIGH AND WIDE! The DR Congo frontman is found by a good cross from the right-hand side by Mubele, but can only poke the ball into the air in looping fashion! Its kept in play, but nothing comes of the pressure. Zambia still defending fairly well, with Nkausu the key man that time. 46 We are back underway in Ebebiyin! Zambia still hold a slim lead, but if the first half is anything to go by, DR Congo will find the back of the net at some point - not least due to some suspect goalkeeping! HALF TIME! Zambia go in with a slender 1-0 lead at the break, with Singulumas very early strike remaining the only difference between the two sides! DR Congo have been positive ever since, with Bolasie in particular causing some problems for the opposition. Be sure to rejoin us in ten minutes for all of the second-half action! 45 There is one minute of stoppage time. 44 Issama guides an ambitious cushioned volley goalwards, after a corner was half cleared, but sees his effort blocked easily. DR Congo are pushing for an equaliser until the very end of this first half. 43 Bolasie earns a free kick on the edge of the box, after a scrappy tackle from Mtonga, with the winger continuing to be a real thorn in Zambias side. It takes a wicked deflection off Sinkala, before zipping wide of the far post! Corner to DR Congo. 41 Kage tries a bit of trickery at the right byline, before whipping in a near-post cross that was too close to Mweene. There is then a stoppage in play, as Kalaba goes down and require a touch of treatment. 39 Just over five minutes remain until the half-time interval, with DR Congo still pushing for an equaliser and Mbokani getting closer and closer each time. Zambia are merely trying to break at pace, and otherwise sit deep in two banks of four. 37 Mbokani flicks a header goalwards from 12 yards out, with Mweene diving across to his right-hand side to claim the attempt from the Dynamo Kiev man. Good handling, but a bit of a save for the cameras, that one. 36 Kage cuts inside from the right-hand side, before unleashing a left-footed strike, but Sinkala makes a block to save his goalkeeper the trouble of making a stop. 35 Kampamba streaks away in behind Kilichio, but the through ball is slightly too heavy, allowing for Kidiaba to kick away under heavy pressure from the Zambia forward. 34 DR Congo continue to maintain their pressure, with Mbemba and Mulumbu able to regulate play in defensive midfield. Mayuka is always the target of long balls for Zambia. 32 Bolasie forces a save from Mweene! The goalkeeper throws out a leg to deny the Crystal Palace midfielder, after a good knockdown by Mbokani. Moments later, Bolasie is brought down just inside the penalty area, but the referee doesnt point to the spot. 31 Yellow CardStophira Sunzu 31 Sunzu picks up an early yellow card, for a rather rash tackle that came through the back of Mbokani - the Zambian defender will have to watch his step now. The opening half an hour have only seen a goal for his side, but DR Congo have otherwise been flexing their offensive muscles. 30 Kalaba dances down the left-hand side, before his eventual cross is headed up into the air by Mbemba. The looping ball is collected well by Kidiaba, with the goalkeeper choosing not to be eccentric for once. 29 Mayuka is fed in behind the opposition back four, before taking a lovely touch, but the linesmans flag is raised for offside. The Southampton forward is playing on the last man whenever possible. 28 Mweene is easily able to gather up a defensive header from Mbola, as DR Congo continue to press on. Bolasie and Mbokani have shown flashes of their quality, but Sunzu has been able to keep tabs on most developments. 26 DR Congo remain on the front foot, but theyre facing a rather stout defensive side. Zambia only conceded twice during qualifying, despite Mweenes poor handling which has been evident during the opening half an hour, meaning that Ibenges side have a lot to do to win this one. 24 Kage delivers a cross from the right flank, which is headed clear comfortably by Sunzu. It sparks a break for Zambia, but Mayuka is quickly isolated and the ball is put into touch. The Southampton striker has plenty of pace, which is giving DR Congo something to think about. 23 Nkausu makes a bad challenge on Ndombe, giving DR Congo another opportunity to whip in a delivery. Bolasie finds the head of Mbemba, but the Anderlecht man can only steer the ball high and wide of the target! 21 Kalaba tries to flick a pass around the corner for Mayuka to chase, but Kidiaba is able to race out and collect the loose ball. Sinkala then puts in a fantastic challenge to halt DR Congo in their tracks. The midfielder is a towering presence. 19 Mbokani has a go from 25 yards out, but Sunzu stands tall to face up the striker, who actually manages to strike his own player with his long-range effort. Things just havent quite clicked for DR Congo offensively so far. 18 Mayuka is brought down by a poorly timed tackle from Mongongu, earning Zambia a free kick and a chance to load the box with green shirts. Kalaba shoots from close to 30 yards out, but Kidiaba gets across to his left to push the ball to safety! Hes certainly an unpredictable goalkeeper! Sinkala fires just wide moments later and the DR Congo shot-stopper is furious with his defence. 16 Kage whips in a corner delivery from the right-hand side, but Mweene is confident enough to come off his line and claim under no pressure. DR Congo have reacted well in the aftermath of conceding so early on. 15 Bolasie sees an effort blocked, before Mtonga throws in a desperate challenge to deny the Crystal Palace winger once again. Hes already showing that he will be DR Congos main threat this afternoon! Ibenges men earn another corner, after Mweene is unable to keep the ball in play. 13 After a poor start, DR Congo are starting to find some confidence and attack from wide areas. Everything is geared towards giving Mbokani service in the penalty area, but their striker has already shown that he might not be at his sharpest this afternoon. 11 Bolasie drives down the left-hand side, displaying his evident pace, before whipping in a good cross. Mweene manages to scramble out and claim the ball at the second attempt, as suspect goalkeeping continues to be the order of the day. 9 It has been a fairly scrappy start, with both goalkeepers having nervy moments and possession being thrown away rather needlessly. Mulumbu and Mbemba need to inspire their surrounding players, as they arent out of this contest yet, not by any stretch of the imagination. 7 MBOKANI FIRES OVER! A cross is dealt with terribly by Mweene, with the goalkeeper spilling a tame delivery! The loose ball bobbles free to the Dynamo Kiev striker, who blasts over from eight yards out! What a miss! 5 Bolasie whips a free-kick from the left, which is headed behind for a corner for DR Congo. Sunzu heads clear, as Zambia continue to have a solid start to proceedings. 3 Big chance for Mbokani! The DR Congo striker is found at the back post, takes a touch, but sees his eventual shot blocked! After missing all of his nations qualifiers due to injury, he really needs to be repaying his coachs faith there! 2 AssistChisamba Lungu 2 GoalGiven Singuluma GOOOOOOOOAL! ZAMBIA TAKE THE LEAD IN THE OPENING TWO MINUTES! SINGULUMA HAS DONE IT! Kidiaba fails to deal with a cross from the left-hand side, punching only half clear, before the TP Mazembe box-to-box midfielder slams home an opportunistic finish! 1 We are underway in Group B of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations! DR Congo are donning white and pale blue, while Zambia, as aforementioned, are in a green strip. A kit that they have changed to this year, reverting back to the exact same one that they lifted the 2012 AFCON in. An omen? The two sides are out on the turf! Again, theres a good attendance, with both national anthems blaring out in the afternoon sun! Zambia are wearing rather aesthetically offensive, and bright orange, tracksuits to receive their anthem. Thankfully, theyll strip down into green before the action gets underway. DR Congo substitues: Oualembo, Omba, Makiadi, Kebano, Bawaka, Kalonji, Zakuani, Kudimbana, Mabwati, Bokila, Mabidi, Mandanda. DR Congo starting line-up: Muteba, Djos, Kilichio, Mbemba, Mongongu, Mpela, Kage, Mulumbu, Bolasie, Ndombe, Mbokani. Zambia substitutes: Munyao, Munthali, Kabwe, Sautu, Musakanya, Mukuka, Musonda, Kangwa, Mwanza, Titima, Ngoma. Zambia starting line-up: Mweene, Mbola, Sunzu, Nkausu, Lungu, Sinkala, Kalaba, Singulama, Mayuka, Kampamba. TEAM NEWS: All three of DR Congos domestically based players feature for TP Mazembe, with Joel Mpela and Jean Kilichio featuring ahead of goalkeeper Robert Kidiaba Muteba in goal. Yannick Bolasie of Crystal Palace offers pace and trickery out wide, with Evian TGs Cedric Mongongu adding top-flight experience to the defence. Dieudonne Mbokani is Ibenges star striker, with the Dynamo Kiev forward having previously scored goals for fun in the Jupiler Pro League. TEAM NEWS: Stoppila Sunzu will be a key part of the Zambian defence, with Chisamba Lungu of Russian side Ural slotting in at left-back. Emmanuel Mayuka of Southampton starts up top with domestically-based Ronald Kampamba, as Janza opts for a mix of both native and players from his nations diaspora. Nathan Sinkala, who plies his trade in midfield for Swiss side Grasshoppers, is another man to watch. DR Congo attempt to live up to their attacking potential this afternoon. With the likes of Yannick Bolasie and Dieumerci Mbokani in the starting line-up, they have to fancy their chances of converting some chances, but Zambia have looked reasonably strong during their preparation. Hello and welcome to the second day of Africa Cup of Nations action, as this time we embark on a journey into Group B action. Zambia face off against the Democratic Republic of Congo in Ebebiyin, as both of these sides attempt to start their respective campaigns with three points. Honour Janzas side were of course winners in 2012, but plenty has changed since then, not least the quality of players available to this afternoons opponents.
Posted on: Mon, 19 Jan 2015 10:17:14 +0000