NELSPRUIT — Niger earned their first point at the finals of the Africa Cup of Nations after holding DR Congo to a draw on Thursday night.
Report by Supersport Both sides wasted chances in a low-quality game of poor finishing, although Niger’s Modibo Sidibe was unlucky to see his shot hit the post. In contrast, DR Congo’s Dieumerci Mbokani missed two gilt-edged chances, even if credit must go to keeper Daouda Kassaly for making two smart saves.
The result means all four teams in Group B can still qualify. Niger now have one point and play Ghana, who have four, in their final group game on Monday. At the same time DR Congo, with two points, play Mali, who lost to Ghana earlier on Thursday, but won their opening match against Niger.
Thursday’s disappointing encounter was a game in keeping with a poor tournament so far — and was the seventh draw in 12 matches. But it might have been so different had either side been able to take any of the chances that came their way.
Niger were gifted a glorious opening early on when Sidibe robbed Larrys Mabiala to earn a clear run on goal.
The Akokana striker appeared to do everything right as he opened up his body to curl a right foot shot goalwards, but the ball cannoned back off the foot of the post.
It was a sign of things to come as both sides wasted chances, particularly in the first half.
DR Congo, the heavy favourites to win the match, could have had three or four goals in the opening period as opportunity after opportunity fell to their big-name players. Lomana LuaLua twice sent shots horribly off target, but those misses looked tame compared to the profligacy of Mbokani.
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The normally clinical Anderlecht striker should have scored with a sidefoot volley from 12 yards, but was denied by an excellent save by Kassaly. Niger then threw away a good chance when another mistake from Mabiala — the only new man in either starting line-up, — handed Sidibe a shooting opportunity which ended with the ball being lashed into the stands.
The quality of the game was summed up when Niger defender Mohamed Chicoto missed the ball and kicked the air when attempting to clip a pass up the flank while under no pressure.
