Joint record Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) winners DR Congo (alongside Morocco) were held to a barren draw by Ivory Coast in a drab match staged at the May 19 Stadium in Algeria.The draw leaves Group B hanging in the balance and wide open ahead of Uganda’s clash against current group leaders Senegal that is slated for a 10 PM kick off on Wednesday night.CHAN 2022: Neighbours Uganda face Senegal as record champions DRC tackle Ivory CoastIvory Coast came into the clash needing nothing short of a win to enhance their chances of progression to the knockout phases of the tournament since their third place finish in 2016.The Leopards on other hand needed a win to extend their impressive record of qualifying for the quarter finals in each and every tournament they have qualified for, as they have gone on to win it on two occasions.The first half of the encounter had little to write home about as both teams played with the hand break on but the tie almost burst into life in the second minute of first half added time when Mohamed Sylla’s deflected low effort hit the base of the post.##NAJAVA_MECA_6955064##At the start of the second half DR Congo head coach Otis Ngoma elected to change things following their stale first half as Elie Mpanzu was brought on in place of AS Vita midfielder Eric Kabwe.The game boiled down to a chess contest as both sets of coaches brought in changes to nullify the substitutions made by the other but none had the desired effect.Gor Mahia threaten action for ‘illegal’ social media handle proprietorsIvory Coast however finished the game a man less when Mohamed Zougrana was sent off with three minutes left on the clock for a second bookable offense.DR Congo could however not capitalize on the man advantage despite the few minutes left on the clock as the game ended in a barren draw, blowing open Group B.
