DR Congo recorded their maiden win in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualification Group I when they defeated Mauritania 3-1 at the Japoma Stadium in Cameroon on Friday afternoon.
Despite the win, the Leopards remained fourth on the group standings - a point behind second-placed Mauritania with the two teams set to meet at the Stade Cheikha Ould Boïdiya in Nouakchott on Wednesday.
The Lions of Chinguetti were able to contain the Leopards in the opening exchanges, but they suffered a blow when they were reduced to 10 players in the 22nd minute following Idrissa Thiam's dismissal.
The hosts upped the tempo towards the halftime break and they scored through Gael Kakuta to make it 1-0 to DR Congo in the 37th minute with Brentford star Yoane Wissa providing the assist.
The goal rattled the Mauritanian defence and they conceded again in the 42nd minute with Cedric Bakambu hitting the back of the net to make it 2-0 to DR Congo going into the halftime break.
The Lions of Chinguetti came back rejuvenated after their halftime team talk with coach Amir Abdou and they attacked in numbers which saw Ali Abeid score in the 55th minute to make it 2-1.
However, the visitors went to sleep at the back in the 67th minute which allowed Arthur Masuaku to grab a goal to seal DR Congo's 3-1 victory over Mauritania who recorded their first defeat in Group I.
Fair enough Arthur. pic.twitter.com/tariwWTnfO
— Joe Davis (@whujoe) March 24, 2023
DR Congo (2) 3 (Kakuta 37', Bakambu 42', Masuaku 67')
Mauritania (0) 1 (Abeid 55')
CONGO: Kiassumbua, Amale, Mbemba, Bokadi, Masuaku, Tshibola, Moutoussamy, Kakuta (Balikwisha 62'), Wissa (Katompa Mvumpa 62'), Elia (Kalulu 26'), Bakambu (Mayele 88').
MAURITANIA: Niasse, Diaw (Bodda 29'), L. Ba, Fofana (B.Camara 80'), Abeid, E. Ba (Mahmoud 46'), Thiam, Ndoye (Diakhaby 80'), El Hacen, Keita, Kamara (Doukara 73').