Congo played out a 1-1 draw against Côte d’Ivoire in Dakar on Sunday evening, in their Group A opener of the African Youth Championship Senegal 2015.
The Ivoirians took control of the game in the first half, with Yacou Méïté having a goal disallowed for an offside position after 4 minutes of play.
Méïté (12’), D’Avila (18’) and Keita (28’) had good chances and it was ultimately Yacou Méïté who put his side ahead in the 36th minute on a counter-attack down the left flank.
Very quiet in the first 45 minutes at the Léopold Sédar Senghor Stadium, the Red Devils gained momentum after the break with Hardy Binguila missing a clear chance following a goal-mouth scramble in the 47th minute.
The Congolese playmaker then sent a perfect cross for Scott Bitsindou, whose powerful header flied just over the cross-bar before the hour mark.
Congo kept putting pressure on the Ivoirian back line and were ultimately rewarded with the equaliser in the 75th minute, thanks to Silvère Mboussy who managed to escape Frank Kessié and Ibrahim Diaby to fire the ball past Seck Diabagaté.
Baba Traoré could have restored a one-goal advantage for Côte d’Ivoire with six minutes to go on a perfect cross from Ba Loua D’Avila, but the second half substitute missed completely his header at the far post.
Nigeria are topping the Group on 3 points after their 3-1 win over Senegal earlier on, followed by Congo and Côte d’Ivoire on 1 point.
The Congolese and the Ivoirians will be looking for their first win of the tournament when they face the Flying Eagles and the host country respectively on Wednesday.