Morocco vs DR Congo LIVE! AFCON result, match stream and latest updates today
Morocco failed to make it successive wins to open their latest Africa Cup of Nations campaign on Sunday. The pre-tournament favourites led against DR Congo in their second Group F affair after Hakim Ziyech's seventh-minute corner was volleyed in sweetly by Achraf Hakimi after Youssef En-Nesyri was initially denied.
But DR Congo refused to let that early setback cost them as they battled hard and won a late first-half penalty that was smashed against the post and wide by Cedric Bakambu. But the Leopards were impressive after the interval and following a raft of timely attacking substitutions by head coach Sebastien Desabre, got the goal and the reward that their efforts richly deserved thanks to Meschak Elia and Stuttgart striker Silas.
DR Congo will still hold out plenty of hope of reaching the AFCON last 16 as they prepare to face Tanzania in their final group game on Wednesday, while Morocco will want to beat Zambia in midweek to make sure that they go through to the knockout stages as group winners. Follow Morocco vs DR Congo reaction from AFCON live below!
Morocco vs DR Congo highlights
GOAL! Substitute Silas side-foots in equaliser
Bakambu hits post with DR Congo penalty
GOAL! Hakimi volleys in early Ziyech corner
Morocco 1-1 DR Congo
16:12 , George Flood
Full-time
Tempers flare at the full-time whistle with Mbemba still kicking off.
Both sets of players now involved in some ugly post-match scenes in San Pedro.
Morocco 1-1 DR Congo
16:08 , George Flood
96 mins: Suddenly Morocco have burst into life with Ezzalzouli and El Kaabi almost in and a key block in there from Tshibola.
There's also an appeal for a penalty for handball, but there's nothing given.
Mbemba is down for DR Congo after a huge clearance and he's now been booked for arguing with the referee.
A stretcher had been on the way, but it's sent back.
Mbemba is very unhappy about something. DR Congo down to 10 men for the moment.
Morocco 1-1 DR Congo
16:03 , George Flood
93 mins: Action at both ends now as Chibi's cross from the left is met by El Kaabi.
Brave goalkeeping by Mpasi, who is down.
Morocco 1-1 DR Congo
16:02 , George Flood
90 mins: SEVEN minutes of stoppage time at the end of this absorbing Group F showdown.
Is there a late winner to come? DR Congo look far more likely to get it as things stand...
Morocco 1-1 DR Congo
16:01 , George Flood
89 mins: Pickel is down for DR Congo and won't be able to continue.
He's replaced in midfield by former Reading, Aston Villa and Kilmarnock man Aaron Tshibola.
Morocco 1-1 DR Congo
16:00 , George Flood
89 mins: Bounou sprawls to his right to make a crucial fingertip save from Mayele!
DR Congo are pushing hard for a late winner that their second-half efforts deserve.
Morocco 1-1 DR Congo
15:57 , George Flood
86 mins: Solid defending from DR Congo now before Morocco's Adli is whistled for blatantly tugging back Masuaku and deservedly joins Amallah and Ziyech in the book.
This has been a really disappointing second half from the pre-tournament favourites.
Morocco 1-1 DR Congo
15:52 , George Flood
80 mins: Two more Moroccan changes as we enter the final 10 minutes in San Pedro.
Amine Harit and Ayoub El Kaabi replace Ounahi and En-Nesyri.
Morocco 1-1 DR Congo
15:50 , George Flood
78 mins: Almost a quick-fire second goal for DR Congo as the dangerous Elia now tries to tee up Samuel Moutoussamy, but Morocco just scramble clear at the last.
GOAL! Morocco 1-1 DR Congo | Silas 75'
15:45 , George Flood
75 mins: A fully deserved equaliser from the Leopards, who have been much the better side for the majority of this second half and have their reward for some smart attacking substitutions.
Elia gets to the byline and pulls back for fellow substitute Silas, who coolly side-foots home through the legs of Bounou.
Game on with 15 minutes to go!
Morocco 1-0 DR Congo
15:43 , George Flood
72 mins: Ziyech has been one of Morocco's best players this afternoon but he's coming off now inside the final 20 minutes.
Amine Adli of Bayer Leverkusen comes on.
Morocco 1-0 DR Congo
15:40 , George Flood
69 mins: It's all DR Congo at the moment after some positive attacking substitutions as Wissa tussles with Ounahi and then needs treatment for a knock.
Time for the second cooling break. Morocco need to regroup here - there should be plenty of space to exploit on the counter if they are smart.
Morocco 1-0 DR Congo
15:38 , George Flood
66 mins: DR Congo are looking dangerous just at the moment in search of an equaliser as Mayele is eased away from connecting with a super cross from the right.
A long ball then tries to release Elia, but Chibi does enough and ends up earning a pressure-relieving free-kick.
Morocco 1-0 DR Congo
15:34 , George Flood
63 mins: Morocco's first changes of the afternoon see Bilal El Khannouss and Ebde Ezzalzouli enter the fray.
Off go Amallah and Boufal.
DR Congo replace Kakuta with Stuttgart's Silas. Two up front now from Leopards boss Sebastien Desabre?
Morocco 1-0 DR Congo
15:32 , George Flood
61 mins: It's breathless stuff as we tick past the hour mark in the heat of San Pedro.
The ball is flying from end to end at a fair old pace, with Morocco's defence standing up to the challenge resolutely at the moment.
Morocco 1-0 DR Congo
15:29 , George Flood
59 mins: Morocco are constantly trying to make the most of that Hakimi/Ziyech connection down the right, but DR Congo are defending in numbers now and Mpasi can safely claim Ziyech's latest cross.
DR Congo then break with menace until a vital last-gasp intervention stops them in their tracks.
It was Kakuta trying to play in Elia, denied by a sliding Ziyech. Excellent tracking back.
Morocco 1-0 DR Congo
15:26 , George Flood
57 mins: That's an ambitious effort from ex-West Ham left-back Masuaku, who lets fly from about 40 yards and sends the ball fizzing wide with Bounou scrambling.
Morocco 1-0 DR Congo
15:25 , George Flood
55 mins: End-to-end stuff now early in this second half as Ziyech cuts inside and finds Azzedine Ounahi, who fires over.
At the other end, ex-Chelsea winger Kakuta weaves his way into the box before being thwarted by a superb sliding challenge from West Ham's Aguerd.
DR Congo want another penalty, but they won't get it.
Morocco 1-0 DR Congo
15:23 , George Flood
53 mins: Two more changes from DR Congo early in this second half.
Fiston Mayele has replaced Bakambu, with Meschak Elia on for Bongonda, who had been very quiet indeed.
Morocco 1-0 DR Congo
15:21 , George Flood
52 mins: Morocco are trying to wrestle back some control here as Hakimi and Ziyech combine well down the right again and the former's low cross flashes dangerously across the six-yard box before Boufal fires well wide.
Morocco 1-0 DR Congo
15:18 , George Flood
47 mins: An early chance for DR Congo substitute Batubinsika, who pokes out a leg to meet a corner from the left and the ball flies narrowly wide of Bounou's right-hand post.
Morocco 1-0 DR Congo
15:15 , George Flood
Back underway in this Group F contest.
Can DR Congo get back into it?
Morocco 1-0 DR Congo
15:14 , George Flood
The players are back out on the pitch at Stade Laurent Pokou.
Inonga is not among them - he is going off at the break. Should that decision have been made earlier?
Dylan Batubinsika of Saint-Etienne is coming on, joining captain Mbemba in central defence.
Morocco 1-0 DR Congo
15:11 , George Flood
This is the bloodied bandage being sported by DR Congo defender Henock Inonga after copping that elbow from Selim Amallah.
I think there are going to be questions over how he was allowed to continue.
Morocco 1-0 DR Congo
15:03 , George Flood
Initially thought that Bounou may have got a touch on this after guessing the right way, but it went straight onto the post from Bakambu...
Bakambu's penalty CRASHES against the post and goes wide! ❌ pic.twitter.com/8el1J86Im3
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) January 21, 2024
Morocco 1-0 DR Congo
14:58 , George Flood
Half-time
Morocco lead an entertaining game through Hakimi's sweet early volley, with Bakambu then missing a late first-half penalty for DR Congo.
All to play for after the break. DR Congo are a long way from being out of this game.
Morocco 1-0 DR Congo
14:57 , George Flood
55 mins: Some wild challenges are flying in now, first by Wissa (on Ziyech) and then on the Brentford man.
He's lucky to avoid a yellow card.
Morocco 1-0 DR Congo
14:54 , George Flood
52 mins: Finally a save (of sorts) for Bounou in the Morocco goal at this AFCON as a long free-kick sails all the way through to him.
The former Sevilla 'keeper has been a mere spectator at the competition so far.
Morocco 1-0 DR Congo
14:53 , George Flood
50 mins: DR Congo are not having much success trying to play through balls into the path of Bakambu up top.
They will need to be cleverer in order to break down this stingy Morocco defence.
Morocco 1-0 DR Congo
14:50 , George Flood
48 mins: Boufal tries a deft back-heeled finish but he doesn't get enough contact on the ball and the chance is lost.
The first opportunity for Morocco for some time as they deal with plenty of DR Congo pressure before the break.
Morocco 1-0 DR Congo
14:48 , George Flood
45 mins: ELEVEN minutes of stoppage time have been signalled by the fourth official.
Inonga is staying on by the way, fitted with a new shirt.
Morocco 1-0 DR Congo
14:46 , George Flood
43 mins: Not sure if Inonga has officially gone off yet or if he's just getting a change of shirt, but he's down on his haunches off the pitch.
This game is getting feisty now as Ziyech is booked for scything down Charles Pickel.
Morocco 1-0 DR Congo
14:44 , George Flood
41 mins: Stutter steps from Bakambu, who drills his right-footed spot-kick against the base of the post and WIDE!
A huge opportunity missed for DR Congo.
What a let-off for Amallah and Morocco, who still lead 1-0 with half-time approaching.
But there will be a lot of stoppage time at the end of this first half after the early issue with the referee's technology and that nasty Inonga injury.
Morocco 1-0 DR Congo
14:41 , George Flood
39 mins: Kenyan referee Peter Kamaku takes a long look at multiple replays from all angles before eventually pointing to the spot!
Yellow card for Amallah. Bakambu to step up for DR Congo...
Morocco 1-0 DR Congo
14:41 , George Flood
39 mins: Hang on, the referee has now belatedly been sent over to watch that incident again on the pitchside monitor.
This is going to be a penalty to DR Congo, surely...
Morocco 1-0 DR Congo
14:40 , George Flood
37 mins: There is VAR at AFCON of course and I've got no idea how Amallah has got away with that handball.
Replays show it did definitely strike his arm. The elbow on Inonga was accidental.
Inonga is finally back on his feet sporting a huge bandage around his forehead, his white shirt soaked in blood.
I'm surprised he's staying on.
Morocco 1-0 DR Congo
14:38 , George Flood
35 mins: The second long stoppage of this first half as Inonga requires a lot of patching up.
That stray elbow from Amallah has opened up a nasty cut on his head that is pouring with blood.
Morocco 1-0 DR Congo
14:37 , George Flood
33 mins: Worrying moments for Morocco there as Selim Amallah inexplicably raises his arm to meet a corner and almost gives away a penalty. Was there any contact with the ball?
He also catches Henock Inonga with an elbow that leaves the DR Congo defender down and in need of treatment.
Mbemba tries to turn in at the back post but the ball deflects off Saiss and narrowly wide.
Almost an own goal. Instead it'll be another corner.
Morocco 1-0 DR Congo
14:32 , George Flood
30 mins: DR Congo are beginning to put a bit of pressure on this Morocco defence now.
They aim another ball into the box that Saiss sees away from Mbemba and behind for a corner that does not lead to a further chance.
Morocco 1-0 DR Congo
14:31 , George Flood
28 mins: Back underway and Wissa leads a promising DR Congo break down the left flank, cutting inside and trying to play in Bakambu.
However, Morocco captain Romain Saiss cuts it out.
Morocco 1-0 DR Congo
14:29 , George Flood
26 mins: Time for the first cooling break of the afternoon.
Much needed in the heat of San Pedro.
Morocco 1-0 DR Congo
14:28 , George Flood
25 mins: A foul by Amrabat gives Wissa the chance to deliver a deep free-kick into the Morocco box, but the Brenford man's ball sails beyond skipper Mbemba at the back post and behind for a goal kick.
Mbemba looks very frustrated with that. A missed opportunity.
Morocco 1-0 DR Congo
14:26 , George Flood
23 mins: Good noise coming from those bouncing Morocco fans on the far side of Stade Laurent Pokou.
A lot of vuvuzelas seem to have found their way into the stadium today as well.
Morocco 1-0 DR Congo
14:23 , George Flood
21 mins: Morocco's build-up play is very slow at times in the heat, but they are capable of bursting into fast action at the drop of a hat.
Another half-chance for En-Nesyri, but he can't aim his latest header on target.
Morocco 1-0 DR Congo
14:22 , George Flood
19 mins: The pace of this game is noticeably dropping now in the stifling heat of San Pedro, a port city in southwestern Ivory Coast.
Morocco are dominating much of the possession as you might expect, patiently probing for another opening to potentially double their lead.
Morocco 1-0 DR Congo
14:20 , George Flood
17 mins: Some bright spells from both sides in the last few minutes, without much end product.
Cedric Bakambu is trying to involve himself at one end for DR Congo before En-Nesyri heads a cross high into the air at the other.
The ball drops harmlessly into the arms of Mpasi.
Morocco 1-0 DR Congo
14:18 , George Flood
Here is that early opening goal from Morocco, the Ziyech and Hakimi connection paying off handsomely...
Ziyech 🔗 Hakimi
Achraf Hakimi hits a sweet volley for Morocco! 🇲🇦 pic.twitter.com/bUVigp02n0— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) January 21, 2024
Morocco 1-0 DR Congo
14:17 , George Flood
12 mins: DR Congo have grown in confidence a little since that early setback, with West Ham's Nayef Aguerd needing to block an effort from Spartak Moscow winger Theo Bongonda.
Captain Chancel Mbemba then can't get a proper connection on the corner to test Yassine Bounou in the Morocco goal.
Yoane Wissa now also looking to get involved down the DR Congo's left wing.
Morocco 1-0 DR Congo
14:13 , George Flood
10 mins: DR Congo look so vulnerable at the back early on as the impressive Ziyech cuts inside off the right flank and aims a low strike that is held by Mpasi.
Morocco 1-0 DR Congo
14:12 , George Flood
9 mins: A painful blow there for Morocco's left-back Mohamed Chibi after he makes a strong sliding challenge on DR Congo right-back Gedeon Kalulu.
Both players are up and fine to continue.
GOAL! Morocco 1-0 DR Congo | Achraf Hakimi 6'
14:07 , George Flood
6 mins: Now the Atlas Lions are in front!
After a delay that lasted four minutes, Morocco pick up right where they left off as Ziyech's corner from the left is volleyed in expertly by Hakimi.
This could be a very long afternoon indeed for DR Congo.
Morocco 0-0 DR Congo
14:07 , George Flood
4 mins: DR Congo were rather caught cold there and are lucky not to be behind early on.
We're now having a delay due to issues with the equipment of the officiating team.
Kenya's Peter Kamaku is the referee today.
Morocco 0-0 DR Congo
14:04 , George Flood
2 mins: An instant chance for Morocco to take the lead as Ziyech combines well with Hakimi, whose brilliant first-time cross from the right finds the head of En-Nesyri.
Luckily for DR Congo, goalkeeper Mpasi is able to parry behind.
Morocco vs DR Congo
14:01 , George Flood
Underway in San Pedro, where the searing heat and sweltering humidity led to both sets of players trying to conserve their energy as they warmed up in vests.
Can Morocco seal their place in the Africa Cup of Nations last 16?
Morocco vs DR Congo
13:56 , George Flood
The teams are out at Stade Laurent Pokou and the national anthems are underway, starting with Morocco.
Less than five minutes to go until kick-off in today's first AFCON offering.
Head to head record
13:45 , George Flood
Morocco and DR Congo have met fives times before, with the Atlas Lions winning the last fixture 4-1 to qualify for the 2022 winter World Cup in Qatar - where they went on to reach the semi-finals and finish fourth in unforgettable fashion.
There were two draws in 2020 and 2022, while Morocco beat DR Congo in their first friendly meeting back in 2006.
Their only previous AFCON contest was in 2017 in Gabon, when Junior Kabananga's second-half goal was enough to secure a 1-0 win for DR Congo that helped them top Group C ahead of the Atlas Lions.
Both sides were knocked out in the quarter-finals that year.
DR Congo unchanged from Zambia draw
13:23 , George Flood
DR Congo are unchanged from their opening 1-1 draw with Zambia, meanwhile.
Brentford's Yoane Wissa will be hoping to get on the scoresheet again as he lines up in attack, along with Cedric Bakambu of Galatasaray.
Former Chelsea winger Gael Kakuta and ex-West Ham full-back Arthur Masuaku also start in a team captained by former Newcastle defender Chancel Mbemba.
One Morocco change as Sofiane Boufal starts
13:17 , George Flood
Morocco boss Walid Regragui makes one change to the team that started their Group F opener against Tanzania on Wednesday night.
Former Southampton forward Sofiane Boufal, who now plays his club football in Qatar with Al-Rayyan, starts in place of ex-Barcelona winger Abde Ezzalzouli, who is on the bench.
It looks like Bayern Munich defender Noussair Mazraoui is still not fit enough to be involved for the Atlas Lions this afternoon.
DR Congo lineup
13:04 , George Flood
Starting XI: M'Pasi, Kalulu, Mbemba, Baka, Masuaku, Moutoussamy, Bongonda, Kakuta, Picket, Wissa, Bakambu
Morocco lineup
13:03 , George Flood
Starting XI: Bounou, Hakimi, Aguerd, Saiss, Chibi, Amrabat, Ounahi, Amallah, Ziyech, En Nesyri, Boufal
DR Congo boss encouraged by attacking output
12:50 , George Flood
DR Congo boss Sebastien Desabre was also pleased with his side's attacking display against Zambia despite the final result.
“I regret that my attackers were not able to put the ball in the net more than once with all the chances we had," he said.
"We were playing well, enterprising, we offered great football but unfortunately, we regret all our missed opportunities.
“We knew the speed of their attackers. We did everything we could to cut off their passing lines and it worked.
"But once again, I am satisfied with my team but not with the result.”
Yoane Wissa taking positives from Zambia draw
12:33 , George Flood
DR Congo fell behind against the run of play against 2012 AFCON winners Zambia when Red Star Belgrade midfielder Kings Kangwa punished some sloppy first-half defending, but Yoane Wissa quickly had them back on level terms.
The Leopards missed a number of good chances after that and also had a second-half penalty award for handball overturned following a VAR check.
Despite failing to beat Zambia, Brentford forward Wissa is taking the positives at his side creating so many opportunities in front of goal.
"I take away some positives from this match," he said.
"We created a lot of chances. Now it's definitely for us to work on putting them in the back of the net.
"But already having so many opportunities is very positive for us. It's up to us to do well next game."
Tanzania coach Adel Amrouche banned over Morocco rant
12:16 , George Flood
Morocco's comfortable opening win over Tanzania in Group F on Wednesday night was followed by controversy surrounding Tanzania boss Adel Amrouche.
Algerian Amrouche has now been suspended by Tanzania after being handed an eight-match ban and fined $10,000 by CAF for his inflammatory comments regarding the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (RMFF) and its influence in African football.
Amrouche remains in charge of Tanzania for now, but Hemed Suleiman Ali will lead them against Zambia in San Pedro later this afternoon.
Morocco vs DR Congo prediction
11:59 , George Flood
It would be a major shock not to see Morocco continue their winning run this afternoon.
Morocco to win, 2-0.
Morocco team news
11:56 , George Flood
For Morocco, Bayern Munich defender Noussair Mazraoui remains doubtful with a lingering thigh injury suffered on club duty last month that ruled him out of the opening win over Tanzania on Wednesday night.
Atlas Lions boss Walid Regragui said he was unsure if the right-back would recover in time to face DR Congo, with Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel having previously recommended that he shouldn't feature until their final group game against Zambia on Wednesday night.
“Noussair Mazraoui is currently recovering and has been called up to the Moroccan squad," said Tuchel.
"We hope that he will gradually return to his best level, and we would recommend that he play only until the third group stage match."
DR Congo team news
11:50 , George Flood
DR Congo are not believed to have any new injury concerns ahead of today's Group F clash in San Pedro.
Their squad contains the likes of Brentford's Yoane Wissa, who scored the quick-fire equaliser in the first half against Zambia on Wednesday, and Watford midfielder Edo Kayembe.
Ipswich defender Axel Tuanzebe, Luton's Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu and former Fulham stalwart Neeskens Kebano were among the players omitted from the final tournament squad by French head coach Sebastien Desabre.
Where to watch Morocco vs DR Congo
11:42 , George Flood
TV channel: Sunday's game will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Mix in the UK. Coverage starts at 1:55pm.
Live stream: Subscribers will also be able to watch on a live stream online via the Sky Go app.
Welcome to Morocco vs DR Congo live coverage
11:38 , George Flood
Good morning and welcome to Standard Sport's latest live coverage from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.
We've got another busy day of group games ahead at AFCON, with Zambia vs Tanzania and South Africa vs Namibia to come later on.
But first it's off to San Pedro, where Morocco take on DR Congo in a Group F clash at Stade Laurent Pokou.
The Atlas Lions were the pre-tournament favourites with the bookies to win a first AFCON title since their lone 1976 triumph following a fairytale run to the World Cup semi-finals in Qatar, doing little to dispel that hype with a comfortable 3-0 win over Tanzania in their opening game on Wednesday.
They are also strong favourites to get past a DR Congo side who missed a number of chances in their frustrating 1-1 draw with Zambia to kick things off.
Kick-off this afternoon is at 2pm GMT, so stay tuned for live updates and all the latest team news.
