Football: DRC edge Mauritania as Burundi hold Gabon

Polokwane, South Africa

DR Congo laboured to a 1-0 win over ten-man Mauritania at Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Tuesday to make a winning start in Group D.

The defeat was a big disappointment for Mauritania who were making their debut on the international stage.

The 2009 champions DR Congo dominated the opening half but there were questions to be asked before the break about captain Robert Kidiaba’s goalkeeping.

Kidiaba (pictured) was lucky to escape an embarrassing start to the campaign after a mix-up with his defenders in the 10th minute when he almost gifted Mauritania striker El Hacen Id with a goal but the latter’s shot flew high and over.

DR Congo were then denied a penalty in the 20th minute when Cedric Mavuanga cross came off the hand of a Mauritania defender in the box but referee Mohamed Benouza was having none of it.

The decision did not go down well with DR Congo coach Santos Mutubile but his protest earned him send-off to the stands by Benouza.

Kidiaba overall was the busier man in goal especially after the half hour mark and was tormented by Mauritania striker Ely Voullany.

Unfortunate again

Voullany teased the TP Mazembe goalkeeper with a half-volley in the 24th minute that sailed across the face of goal. He was unfortunate again not to have found the target in the 41st minute after beating Kidiaba but his effort was cleared off the line by Jean Kasusula.

However, DR Congo too had a great opportunity to break the deadlock just two minutes earlier when the post conspired to deny Guy Lusadisu before the first half ended scoreless.

Handed lifeline

Then three minutes into the second half, DR Congo were handed lifeline when Mohamed Wade brought down midfielder Firmin Mubele in the area and Benouza pointed to the spot.

Eddy Emomo then stepped up to ease the pressure off the 2009 champions sending Brahim Souleymane the wrong way to also make up for his earlier miss in the 6th minute of the first half as Mauritania retreated in their shell.

Kidaba’s second half holiday was briefly interrupted on the hour mark when he denied Ahmed Samb with a near-post save.

Mauritania suffered another setback in the 75th minute when they were reduced to ten men after captain Moussa Baghayoko was sent off for a two footed challenge on defender Eric Nkulukuta.

DR Congo now turn their attention to Gabon on January 18 at the same venue while Mauritania will be hoping for better fortunes against Burundi on the same date.

Meanwhile, Gabon created enough chances to come away with a win but in the end were held goalless by Burundi in 2014 African Nations Championship Group D encounter at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Tuesday.

To add salt to the wounds, the Gabonese had a goal disallowed in the dying minutes for offside as they were left to rue their bad luck and wastefulness in front of goal.

                —Supersport.com