Angola won an extremely important point in the qualifiers for the Africa Cup of Nations on Saturday when they held the neighbors of the Democratic Republic of Congo with a goalless draw in Kinshasa.
It was only the second point of the campaign for Palancas Negras, but keeps them alive in the battle for places and offers them the opportunity to move to the top two places in Group D if they win Tuesday’s return match in Luanda.
Angola’s defense was crucial in the game at the Stade des Martyrs, where there is usually an intimidating full house of about 80,000, but this time it was empty because spectators were banned due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Congo started without Cedric Bakumbu but tackled him along with veteran Yannick Bolaise in the second half in an attempt to undo the defense of Angola but without any success.
Angola lineup: Hugo Marques, Matuwila, Gaspar, Jonathan Buatu, Paizo, Diogenes (Milson), Herenilson, Show, Mateus Galiano (Va), Fabio Abreu (Mabululo), Gelson Dala (Ary Papel). Coach: Pedro Goncalves.