Africa’s top-ranked football team, Morocco had their 2023 AFCON title credentials tested by D.R. Congo as both battled to a stalemate under sweltering conditions in San Pedro.
PSG defender, Achraf Hakimi had given the heavily-fancied Moroccan side an early lead before Cederic Bakumbu missed a penalty just before halftime. Substitute Silas Mvumpa swept home the equaliser on 76 minutes to ensure a share of the spoils.
The Leopards are proving to be a formidable rival to the Atlas Lions, who have beaten them just once in five AFCON meetings.
The result means both sides remain unbeaten with Morocco top of Group F with four points while D.R Congo has two points from as many games.
Arguably, the most vital lesson the Atlas Lions will take from the game going forward is their physical conditioning and the capacity to manage the game.
Under sweltering conditions in San Pedro, the Moroccans lost steam as the game progressed, with players looking fatigued and dehydrated as well as losing out on physical tussles.
Considering how physical African football can be, especially against teams that are of the grits and steel as Morocco’s flair and skill, the Atlas Lions will have to improve their physical conditioning, especially under the sweltering conditions.
Following the team’s historic semifinal appearance at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Morocco is rightly seen as favourites to claim their first AFCON trophy since 1976; they must have discovered against an obdurate DR Congo, they will have to earn it.
