Patson Daka late goal breaks Tanzanian hearts

• Daka scored an 89^th minute equalizer
• Tanzania were leading 1-0
• DR Congo and Morocco played to a 1-1 draw in the other group match

Patson Daka powered home an 89th minute winner as 10-man Zambia fought to play to a 1-1 draw with Tanzania in their second Group F match at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Taifa Stars were without head coach Adel Amrouche who was starting the first of his eight match ban by CAF and his erstwhile assistant Suleiman Hemedi took charge on interim basis, due to the absence of the Belgian-Algerian.

The Taifa Stars had taken an early lead through Simon Msuva and were on the way to a first ever win at the AFCON, but a lapse in marking at the tail end of the game saw them drop two points. They had a one-man advantage the rest of the second half after Zambia skipper Rodrick Kabwe was sent off for a second yellow card at the end of the first half.

Tanzania were determined to make a response after their opening day thrashing against Morocco. They got into the lead in the 11th minute when Msuva fired into the roof of the net after a turnover of possession, skipper Mbwana Samatta sending him through.

Tanzania early pressure stuns Zambia

Kibu Dennis joining Simon Msuva in celebrating his goal. PHOTO/TFF

Zambia were stunned and fought to try get back. They came close on the half hour mark when Lameck Banda did well to float a cross from the right, but Fashion Sakala’s header at the backpost was just wide.

In the second half, with a man’s advantage, Tanzania sought to make the most of it and they came close just a minute in when Dennis Kibu was picked out with a cross from the right, but his volley went over.

Substitute Morice Abraham also saw his rasping shot from the edge of the box saved by the keeper.

In between, a rare error by Bakari Mwamnyeto saw him dispossessed of the ball by Daka who stormed into the box but his shot from the left was saved by Aishi Manula in the Tanzania goal.

With quarter of an hour to play, Zambia upped their tempo upfront and they were rewarded in the 89th minute when Substitute Clatous Chama, who plays for Simba SC in Tanzania floated a cross that was headed home by Daka.

DR Congo, Morocco play to draw

Action between Morocco and DR Congo

Meanwhile in the early kick off, Silas Katompa scored a second half equalizer as DR Congo battled from a goal down to draw 1-1 with Morocco.

Achraf Hakimi had given the Atlas Lions a sixth minute lead, but the Congolese battled to a point.

The result means Morocco remains top of the group with four points while DR Congo have two from back to back draws.

Morocco, who had started their campaign with a comfortable 3-0 thrashing of Tanzania approached the game with more confidence and just two minutes in had their first chance when Youssef En Nessyri’s point blank header off a Hakimi cross was blocked by the keeper.

They however got into the lead four minutes later when Hakimi volleyed home from a corner.

Congo had a chance to draw back level four minutes to the break when VAR awarded them a penalty for a handball inside the box, but Cedric Bakambu saw his effort ricochet off the outside of the post.

In the second half, they fought on, seeking to get back on level terms and put their campaign on track. They eventually got the much needed goal quarter of an hour to the end when Katompa connected sweetly to a cutback from Meshack Elia.

Congo piled late pressure, but Morocco juts managed to hold on to the point.