adminCongo to fight their way back and then come within inches of snatching a dramatic late win.
Tresor Mputu and Dieumerci Mbokani scored for the Congolese as they put aside the turmoil of their build-up when the players went on strike over bonuses and allowances and veteran coach Claude Le Roy was on the verge of quitting.
DR Congo had also looked the better of the two sides in the first half but allowed Ghana to take the lead after a swift interchange of passes saw Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu touch home Kwadwo Asamoah’s pass.
It was the first goal of the tournament after two goalless draws at Soccer City on Saturday.
Asamoah, played at left back for yesterday’s encounter instead of his usual midfield role, scored a second from a 50th minute corner as the Congolese were caught ball watching.
But the two goal advantage lasted just three minutes before Mputu ran onto a defence-splitting pass from Cedric Makiadi and scored with the outside of his boot.
Mbokani then won a 69th minute penalty when Jerry Akaminko pulled at his jersey, provoking a theatrical tumble from the giant striker.
Ghana captain Asamoah Gyan missed a break-away chance in the first half and had two more gilt-edged opportunities after the break, including a header in stoppage time at the end of the game that goalkeeper Robert Kidiaba saved on the line.
Congo might have been deserved winners had Youssouf Mulumbu not had his shot in the 88th minute palmed away by Ghana goalkeeper Fatau Dauda.
Meanwhile, Mali beat Niger 1-0 in Group B’s second match yesterday at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth.
The Eagles captain Seydou Keita handed his side the hard-fought victory five minutes to before the end of the encounter.
Mali are participating in their eighth Africa Cup of Nations finals while Niger are appearing for the second time in the competition.
The Eagles attempted to intimidate the Mena early in the match, with six-foot forward Cheick Diabate of French side Bordeaux unleashing two close-range strikes that Niger goalkeeper Daouda Kassaly confidently palmed away, as his defenders stood firm to keep the backline safe from palpable damage.
The Malians dominated play through the half hour mark, with another goal chance falling to Keita, but he crashed his volley against Diabate, who was waiting in the box to conclude the action.
The Mena were still struggling to get a foothold in the game as the first half wore on. The group, mostly composed of home based players, chose to apply an extensive defending formula in a bid to thwart the Eagles’ efforts, but suffered agonizing domination in the process.
Despite their overwhelming control of the midfield and superior ball possession, Mali were unable to open the scoring, as their efforts were restricted to some aimless shots delivered by Diabate, Sigamary Diarra of Ajaccio and Kalilou Traore.
Niger maintained their combative mood throughout the first half while Mali kept pushing in search of close-range faults. However, none of the ensuing free kicks went on target as the score stood at a goalless draw by half time.
Mali coach Patrice Carteron chose to bring more pace to his side in the second half by substituting Cheick Fantamady Diarra with Mahamadou Samassa of Serie A side Chievo, which almost immediately paid off when the 26-year-old cut in from the left but dragged his effort wide. — AFP/Goal.com.
Online Reporter