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Africa Cup of Nations round-up: Ivory Coast held, Morocco beat Togo

Democratic Republic of the Congo's forward Junior Kabananga celebrates after scoring
Image: Democratic Republic of Congo's Junior Kabananga celebrates scoring against Ivory Coast

Ivory Coast twice came from behind to draw 2-2 with Democratic Republic of Congo in their second Group C game at the Africa Cup of Nations on Friday.

Neeskens Kebano's brilliant strike and Junior Kabananga's header put DR Congo ahead during an impressive first-half display.

Wilfried Bony and Serey Die scored equalisers before the Elephants, dominant in the second period, went close to a winner late on but had to settle for a second successive draw.

DR Congo took the lead in the 10th minute when Kebano superbly fired Kabananga's lay-off low inside the far post.

The equaliser came when Bony met Max Gradel's right-wing corner with a powerful downward header into the far corner after 25 minutes.

Parity lasted only two minutes, though, as dreadful defending allowed Kabananga to restore DR Congo's lead.

Firmin Mubele was picked out on the right wing and from his cross, keeper Sylvain Gbohouo was hopelessly out of position and Serge Aurier left Kabananga unmarked to head in. Gbohouo had to be very quickly off his line to deny Kabananga a third right on half-time.

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Simon Deli and Mubele went close at opposite ends and Mubele failed to pick out Dieumerci Mbokani in DR Congo's next chance - and he was made to pay as the Ivory Coast broke clear and captain Serey Die's 20-yard strike was deflected past Matampi for the equaliser.

Morocco's players celebrate their third goal against Togo
Image: Morocco players celebrate their third goal against Togo

The Ivory Coast launched a stoppage-time flurry of attacks, Salomon Kalou off target when Aurier headed on Franck Kessie's corner.

Aurier's deft flick from another Kessie corner was saved and a narrow, but probably correct, offside call saw Kalou's emphatic volley chalked off as DR Congo clung on.

Morocco capitalised on a poor goalkeeping performance from Kossi Agassa to beat Togo 3-1.

The Lions, who secured their first points of the competition having lost to DR Congo in their opener, were behind early on after Mathieu Dossevi's brilliant opener.

However they were level after 14 minutes as Agassa faield to collect a routine corner, leaving Aziz Bouhaddouz to head in, before Romain Saiss added a second.

Agassa then failed to keep out a speculative long-range effort from Youssef Ed-Nesyri as Morocco coasted to the three points.

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