Defending champions Senegal were held to a 1-1 draw by a spirited Congo side in their second Group D fixture at the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) PAMOJA 2024 in Zanzibar.

Congo took a surprise lead in the 19th minute when Charles Atipo’s cross from the right was met by Dechan Moussavou, who smashed a right-footed shot high into the net from close range. The goal unsettled Senegal, who struggled to impose themselves against Congo’s compact 4-2-3-1 formation and physical style of play.

The Teranga Lions, who beat Nigeria 1-0 in their opening match, found it difficult to break down Congo’s well-organised defence, with Venold Dzaba and Gosim Elenga disrupting their rhythm in midfield. The first half was littered with fouls and stoppages, limiting Senegal’s attacking threat to just a single effort from Mbaye Yaya Ly in stoppage time.

Head coach Souleymane Diallo made changes at the break, bringing on Vieux Cissé to inject creativity. Congo, however, continued to pose a threat on the counter, with Marc Diouf forced into a save from Elie Andzouono’s curling effort in the 69th minute.

Senegal’s pressure eventually paid off in the 82nd minute when Ousseynou Seck’s corner caused confusion in the box and Joseph Layousse drove a low shot into the bottom corner. The equaliser sparked a late rally, but Seyni Ndiaye missed a golden chance with a close-range header.

Both sides pushed for a winner in a tense finale, but neither could find the breakthrough. The result leaves Senegal on four points from two matches, while Congo move to two, keeping Group D finely balanced ahead of Nigeria’s clash with Sudan later tonight.