Spartak Moscow midfielder Theo Bongonda played all 90 minutes in first DR Congo national team match at 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire.

The Congolese ended match against Zambia with 1-1 draw. Both teams exchange goals in four minutes in the middle of first half, as former Arsenal Tula Kings Kangwa broke the deadlock for Zambia, and Yoan Missa equalized later.

Two more ex-Tula players participated in the match for Zambia; defender Stoppila Sunzu spent all 90 minutes on the pitch, and forward Lameck Banda entered on 76th minute. Their mate Fashion Sakala, former Spartak Moscow youth teams forward, also played full game.

DR Congo and Zambia go behind Morocco after first round of group stage; the Moroccans beat Tanzania 3-0 to become top of the group. DR Congo and Morocco will meet in the next match on 21 January.

Whom to follow on 18 January

Second round of the group stage will resume at Asian Cup, and Uzbekistan with Rubin defender Rustam Ashurmatov and CSKA midfielder Abbos Fayzullaev will face India after earning goalless draw against Syria. The Syrians, who has CSKA youth team keeper Maksim Sarraf, will meet Australia this day earlier.

At Africa Cup of Nations the second group stage round will be kicked off by Equatorial Guinea and Guinea-Bissau with Pari NN striker Ze Turbo. Guinea-Bissau will be seeking for first points, as they lost 0-2 to tournament hosts Cote-d’Ivoire in the opening game.