In the closing match of the opening round of group games at the Africa Cup of Nations, Zambia and DR Congo played to a 1-1 draw in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.

Despite DR Congo dominating the early exchanges, Zambia took the lead in the 23rd minute against the run of play. Kings Kangwa capitalized on a defensive mix-up, hitting a right-footed shot from distance that found the bottom left-hand corner after a collision between DR Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi and Leicester forward Patson Daka.

The Leopards quickly responded, with Brentford forward Yoane Wissa equalizing just four minutes later. Wissa finished off from close range following a well-timed run and pass from Cedric Bakambu.

DR Congo continued to apply pressure, and Zambia veteran Stoppila Sunzu cleared a shot off the line from Wissa in the half-hour mark. In the second half, Wissa had an opportunity to put DR Congo ahead but shot high over the crossbar.

A penalty was initially awarded to DR Congo in the 60th minute for handball, but the decision was overturned after a video assistant referee review. The referee determined that the ball had first hit the thigh of Tandi Mwape before the handball.

Despite their efforts to find a winner, the Leopards couldn’t break the deadlock, and the match ended in a 1-1 draw. In earlier Group F action, Morocco, considered pre-tournament favorites, secured a comfortable 3-0 victory over Tanzania.

All four Group F teams will be back in action on Sunday, with Morocco facing DR Congo and Zambia taking on Tanzania. The next set of group games begins on Thursday, featuring a highly anticipated Group A clash between hosts Ivory Coast and Nigeria after an earlier match between Equatorial Guinea and Guinea Bissau.