Congo DR 1-1 Zambia: Wissa's goal earns draw after Kangwa's opener, Daka assists

Zambia take the lead against Congo in BIZARRE fashion after goalkeeper came charging out the box and was left in no-mans land... as Avram Grant's side take quick throw-in and score long-range screamer in AFCON clash

Match Report

Zambia took their lead against Congo in their Africa Cup of Nations opener in bizarre fashion after capitalising on a quick throw-in.

Kings Kangwa opened the scoring in the 23rd minute of the clash at the Stade Laurent Pokou with a long-range strike, after Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi-Nzau came rushing out of his box.

Mpasi-Nzau had charged out of his area to meet a long-ball before the oncoming Zambia player, however, he quickly realised that he had come too far.

Zambia took the following throw-in quickly and found Kangwa in space, who let fly from range and watched his effort sail into the back of the net.

The Congo defenders flung their bodies in the air in attempts to try and stop the looping effort however they, and Mpasi-Nzau, could only watch as it landed in the goal

The sensational strike took almost everyone by surprise, with his team-mates quickly wheeling away in celebration alongside him.

Unfortunately for Avram Grant's side, their lead was short lived as just three minutes later Congo equalised through Brentford's Yoane Wissa.

The Bees forward poked home from inside the six-yard box after a neat ball into the box from Cedric Bakambu to level the tie.

Kangwa's effort isn't a stand-alone in the tournament either, after Guinea took a shock lead in bizarre circumstances against Cameroon during the first half of their opening Africa Cup of Nations match on Monday.

Guinea are one of the tournament's minnows but what they lack in technical skill make up for in physicality as their opening goal against Cameroon showed.

There was chaos in the box after Cameroon goalkeeper Fabrice Ondoa did well to deny an initial strong shot that caused the ball to break free.

Defender Harold Moukoudi lost out as he leapt into a 50/50 challenge to win the ball back and in-turn gave Guinea striker Mohamed Bayo a close-range tap-in.

The Guinea striker initially looked to have stumbled as the ball rolled into his path but recovered to get the required touch to open the scoring.

Line-ups

Democratic Republic of the Congo XI: Kakuta, Bakambu, Lionel Mpasi-Nzau, Mbemba, Masuaku, Théo Bongonda, Yoane Wissa, Gédéon Kalulu, Moutoussamy, Charles Pickel, Henoc Inonga

Subs: Nuke Mfulu, Kayembe, Aaron Tshibola, Simon Banza, Dimitry Bertaud, Grady Diangana, Meschack Elia, Rocky Bushiri, Silas Mvumpa, Brian Bayeye, F. Kalala, Baggio Siadi

Zambia XI: Stoppila Sunzu, Rodrick Kabwe, Lubambo Musonda, Patson Daka, Frankie Musonda, Lawrence Mulenga, Fashion Sakala, Emmanuel Banda, Tandi Mwape, Kings Kangwa, Kelvin Kapumbu

Subs: Larry Bwalya, Benedict Chepeshi, Benson Sakala, Clatous Chama, Edward Chilufya, Lameck Banda, Kelvin Kampamba, Kennedy Musonda, Dominic Chanda, Golden Mafwenta, Miguel Chaiwa, F. Mwansa