The Chipolopolo Boys’ 2023 Africa Cup of Nations campaign began with a 1-1 tie against the Democratic Republic of Congo at the Laurent Pokou Stadium in San Pedro.
Zambia took the lead in the 23rd minute following a disastrous defending in the DR Congo backline.
Goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi dashed out to clear a ball and was left helpless after challenging Leicester City attacker Patson Daka, who took a quick throw-in, which resulted in Red Star Belgrade midfielder Kings Kangwa lashing the ball into an empty net from outside the box.
However, DR Congo responded quickly as they levelled four minutes later after Cedric Bakambu broke the offside trap and fired a ball across the face of the goal, which Brentford FC’s Yoane Wissa tapped home from close range.
Wissa nearly got the winner minutes later when the ball came to him in the box, but Rodrick Kabwe made a fantastic goalline clearance.
In the 60th minute, Ethiopian referee Bamlak Tessema gave DR Congo a penalty after Tandi Mwape seemed to handle the ball in the box after slipping, but VAR overruled the call.
The Leopards looked more likely to get a second with six shots on goal against one for Zambia but they could not find a winner.
Overall, DR Congo was the better team, but they were unable to find the winner thanks to the solid Zambian defense led by 2012 AFCON-winning goal scorer Stopilla Sunzu.
Both teams are now behind Morocco in the table with a point each following the first round of games. The Atlas Lions thumped Tanzania 3-0 in the early kick.
Zambia will face Tanzania on Sunday, while DR Congo clashes with Morocco in the second round of the group stage matches.
