Defending champions Senegal were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw against a determined Congo in their second Group D fixture at the African Nations Championship (CHAN) PAMOJA 2024 in Zanzibar.

The result, played at the Amaan Stadium, leaves Senegal with four points from two matches and Congo with two points.

Congo took a surprise lead in the 19th minute when Dechan Moussavou scored with a clinical right-footed finish from a cross by Charles Atipo.

The champions, who had defeated Nigeria 1-0 in their opening match, were rattled by Congo’s physical approach and compact 4-2-3-1 formation.

Senegal struggled to find their rhythm in the first half, which was punctuated by frequent fouls and stoppages.

Senegal’s head coach, Souleymane Diallo, made tactical changes at halftime, and his team began to build momentum.

The breakthrough came in the 82nd minute when Joseph Layousse pounced on a corner from Ousseynou Seck to fire a right-footed effort into the bottom corner, equalizing for the Teranga Lions.

Despite late tension and a flurry of yellow cards, neither side could find a winner.

The draw keeps Senegal in a strong position, though they missed the chance to secure quarter-final qualification early.

Congo, on the other hand, showed they can trouble the group’s favorites and will carry confidence into their remaining fixtures.

With the draw, Group D is now finely poised, with all four teams still in contention for a spot in the last eight. The upcoming match between Nigeria and Sudan will further shape the group’s standings.

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