BOLASIE BELOW PAR AS DR CONGO DRAW WITH CAPE VERDE

The Crystal Palace winger, who scored in the opening game against Zambia, was below par as was the rest of his team who remain without a win after two group games.

And the Leopards had goalkeeper Robert Kidiaba to thank after producing two brilliant saves late on to salvage a point.
Despite both sides going for a 4-3-3 formation, there were few chances in a cagey first half dominated by feisty challenges.
Cape Verde made a decent start with Julio Tavares lashing an effort over while Babanco curled a free-kick just off target.
And the islanders continued to carve out the better opportunities with Calu placing his free header straight at the keeper from a free-kick.
The Leopards' best chance fell to Bolaisie but the winger’s low shot was saved.
It was a similar story in the second half with Cedrick Mabwati and Tavares going close to breaking the deadlock.
The Islanders should have scored late on but Kidiaba denied them on two occasions.
The result means all the teams in Group B can still progress going into the final group matches after Tunisia earlier beat Zambia 2-1.

KEY MOMENTS
6’ – TAVARES EFFORT! Tavares with a shot from the edge of the box which goes narrowly over, it looked to have taken a slight deflection.
8’ – BABANCO SET PIECE! Babanco has a free-kick 25 yards out. He gets plenty of curl on it but it goes narrowly wide.
21’ – MULUMBU INJURY! The West Brom midfielder is being stretchered off, his hamstring looks to be playing up again.
31’ – CALU MISS! What a chance! From the free-kick the ball falls to Calu whose free header is straight at the keeper.
53’ – MABWATI EFFORT! Mabwati intercepts a loose pass and unleashes an effort from just inside the box that skims the roof of the net.
64’ – TAVARES SHOT! Tavares with a scuffed effort that is forced behind for a corner at his near post.
84’ – FINE SAVE! Heldon wins a corner after a great long ball from Babanco. The set piece falls to Gege but his shot is well saved.
87’ – KIDIABA TO THE RESCUE AGAIN! The keeper produces a brilliant stop after Heldon cut inside onto his left foot.

TALKING POINT
Who will qualify from Group B? Tunisia are in pole position on four points after their win over Zambia. Cape Verde will be confident of getting three points against the Zambians in their final group game based on their performance against DR Congo. They created the better chances, looked organised in defence and nullified Yannisk Bolaise, and it was only the performance of goalkeeper Robert Kidiaba that thwarted them.

MAN OF THE MATCH
Cedrick Mabwati ( DR Congo): The winger, on loan at Osasuna, was a livewire throughout and stood out in a game of little quality. He used his pace and trickery particularly in the second half to good effect, but did not have the support in the final third. Goalkeeper Robert Kidiaba was a close second.

PLAYER RATINGS:
Cape Verde: Vozinha 4, C. Tavares 5, Varela 5, I. Tavares 5, Gege 4, Miranda 5, Calu 6, Macedo 5, Rocha 6, Mendes 6, J. Tavares 6. Subs: Heldon 5, Fortes 5, Platini.
DR Congo: Kidiaba 8, Issama 5, Mongongu 5, Mpela 4, Kilichio 5, Mulumbu 5, Mbemba 5, Mabidi 5, Mabwati 8, Bolasie 6, Mbokani 5. Subs: Bokila 4, Munganga 5.