AFCON 2017: Monday Scores, Results, Standings and Updated Schedule
Africa Cup of Nations champions Ivory Coast got the defence of their crown off to a stuttering start on Monday, as a determined Togo team held them to a 0-0 draw at the Stade d'Oyem.
Togo dug deep to keep their opponents at bay in a goalless first half and created a couple of opportunities of their own. The Elephants took control of the contest in the second period, although they were unable to muster a goal to take all three points.
In the second game of the day, the Democratic Republic of Congo produced a stirring late defensive effort to see out a 1-0 lead against Morocco.
After another tedious start, the game came alive after the interval, with Junior Kabananga Kalonji giving DR Congo the lead in the 52nd minute. Joyce Lomalisa Mutambala saw red for the Leopards in the 81st minute for two yellow cards, but Morocco were unable to find a leveller despite their territorial dominance.
Here's a recap of Monday’s action and the matches scheduled for Tuesday, as the first round of fixtures comes to an end.
| 1 | DR Congo | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| 2 | Ivory Coast | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2 | Togo | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 4 | Morocco | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 |
| 4 p.m. | D | Ghana vs. Uganda |
| 7 p.m. | D | Mali vs. Egypt |
Ivory Coast vs. Togo
The match didn't start at the most frantic pace, although both sides were able to create chances in the first period. Ivory Coast striker Jonathan Kodjia burst through in the 10th minute but couldn't get his shot off cleanly before Serge Gakpe closed in.
Togo's main threat throughout was Emmanuel Adebayor, and their first major opportunity came after he raided down the left flank. Ihlas Bebou then picked the ball up and fed Mathieu Dossevi, but Sylvain Gbohouo was quick off his line to smother the shot.
As Ed Dove of Reuters noted, given he is a free agent, the 32-year-old Adebayor was looking pretty sharp:
Meanwhile, making his competitive debut for Ivory Coast, Wilfried Zaha was vibrant in wide positions. But Togo settled in as the half went on and were able to keep out their illustrious opponents in the latter stages of the first period with relative ease.
Per Jonathan Wilson of the Guardian, a bobbly playing surface was doing little to add fluidity to the contest:
At the start of the second period, the champions started to apply pressure and controlled possession, with Zaha and Franck Kessie serving as the most lively attackers. Yet Togo were proving to be obdurate opposition, and as the clock ticked past the hour mark, they were mainly untroubled at the back.
Ivory Coast boss Michel Dussuyer looked to his bench for inspiration in the 70th minute, as he withdrew Zaha in place of striker Wilfried Bony. Togo, meanwhile, continued to threaten on the counter and particularly when Adebayor was in possession of the ball.
But the longer the contest went on, the less likely either side looked to break the deadlock, and in the end, there was a sense of both teams settling for a draw.
It's a point that Togo will be delighted with and one they thoroughly deserved after this combative display. Ivory Coast must improve if they are to match their 2015 heroics.
DR Congo vs. Morocco
Following on from a disappointing game earlier in the day, those in attendance at the Stade d'Oyem would have hoped for a more open affair between DR Congo and Morocco in the second fixture.
Initially, it looked as though they were going to get one, with Morocco inches away from taking an early lead after Mbark Boussoufa's fizzing 25-yard strike rattled the crossbar. However, it was the only real moment of quality on show from either side in what was a turgid first half.
As Wilson noted, the players were having to deal with some unique conditions, as they struggled to assert themselves on the contest:
When the second half started, it was Morocco who had most of the ball, although they were struggling to unpick the Leopards' cohesive defence. And eventually, DR Congo were able to venture forward themselves, taking the lead after some shambolic defending.
Goalkeeper Monir El Kajoui misread the flight of Firmin Mubele Ndombe’s cross into the area, blocking the ball back into the danger zone with his feet. From there, Kabananga was on hand to thrash home and give his team a crucial lead.
DR Congo star man Yannick Bolasie, who is missing the tournament with an injury, was delighted with the opener:
After falling behind, there was a little more urgency in Morocco's play, as they piled forward in search of an equaliser. Youssef En-Nesyri looked the man most likely to restore parity, although he saw an effort saved by Matampi Ngumbi Ley and then fired over when well placed at the back post.
The Leopards were pinned back in the latter stages, and their cause was not helped by Lomalisa. The substitute picked up two yellow cards in quick succession—one for wasting time and another for a needless foul—meaning his team-mates had to see out the final stages a man down.
Things got tougher again for DR Congo a couple of minutes later, as skipper Gabriel Zakuani was carried off injured.
Despite Morocco pressing relentlessly against the nine men, DR Congo were able to hold out for a memorable win.
.jpg?w=600 "Offseason Moves for Every Team 👉")
.png?w=600 "New NBA Mock Draft 📝")
