Late Ekongo strike salvages point for Congo against Sudan
The biennial competition, reserved exclusively for players plying their trade in domestic African leagues, saw its first-ever meeting between Congo and Sudan deliver drama, intensity, and late heroics in front of a lively crowd in Zanzibar.
Musa Hussien gave Sudan the lead in the 29th minute, before Carly Ekongo's 86th-minute strike ensured Congo began their fifth CHAN campaign without defeat.
It was Sudan who looked the more purposeful in the early exchanges, testing Congo goalkeeper Ulrich Samba with a barrage of set-pieces and half-chances.
Salah Adil headed wide from close range in the 10th minute, while Abdel Raouf Yagoub pulled the strings from midfield.
The opening goal came on the half-hour mark after sustained pressure from the Sudanese.
A double effort from Hussien—his first blocked by Samba—saw the striker pounce on the rebound and calmly slot the ball into the bottom corner from close range, putting Sudan 1-0 up.
Congo responded through Chadrac Osseby and Charles Atipo, both coming close before the break. However, the Red Devils struggled to find rhythm in the first half, trailing 1-0 at the interval.
Head coach Barthélemy Ngatsono rang the changes in the second half, introducing Carly Ekongo, Grace Mavoungou and Grace Nsemi in a triple substitution on the hour mark. The fresh legs helped Congo wrest back control.
Sudan continued to look dangerous on the counter and came agonisingly close to doubling their lead in the 90+2 minute when Mazin Simbo's header was brilliantly saved by Samba, keeping Congo in the contest.
That stop proved crucial. Just four minutes later, Congo drew level. After sustained pressure and a quick exchange in the Sudanese box, Ekongo latched onto a loose ball and smashed home a low finish from close range, sending the Congolese bench into wild celebration.
The match ended with tension and physicality, as stoppage time stretched to ten minutes, with both sides pushing for a winner and tempers occasionally flaring.
Ulrich Samba once again came to Congo's rescue, denying Simbo late on with a fine save.
The draw marks Congo's first goal in open play in over three CHAN matches, ending a scoreless drought that dated back to 2020.
For Sudan, the result extends their winless run in open play at CHAN to five matches, but it also signals a step forward after a disappointing 2022 campaign.
Both teams will now turn their attention to their upcoming fixtures in Group D, where every point could prove vital in a tightly contested group.
Congo next face title holders Senegal, while Sudan prepare for a potentially decisive clash against Nigeria.
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