LUBUMBASHI, DR Congo
The East Africa nation came from a goal down to collect a point in Group J assignment.
Tanzania held DR Congo to a 1-1 draw in the 2022 World Cup qualifier played at the Tout Puissant Mazembe Stadium on Thursday.
The Leopards drew first blood courtesy of Dieumerci Mbokani, but the East Africans ensured the spoils were shared thanks to a screamer from Simon Msuva.
The first real chance fell for the hosts after just seven minutes when the Taifa Stars failed to clear a corner and the ball was eventually played to Araba Akolo, but he skied his effort with the goalkeeper well beaten.
In early proceedings, the hosts looked comfortable as opposed to the East Africans who struggled to get in the final third.
Some 16 minutes into the game, the Stars capitalised on a defensive lapse to get into the danger zone. Feisal Salum passed the ball to Reliant Lusajo who was in a good position, and the latter's first touch allowed Salum to take a shot which narrowly missed the target.
Manula was called to action in the 20th minute after a good cross from the left found Akolo unmarked, but the Simba SC goalkeeper was equal to the task and made the save.
The deadlock was eventually broken in the 23rd minute. Cedric Bakambu managed to get past his marker and beat the goalkeeper with his cutback, and Mbokani, was in the right position to tap home from six yards.
It was a wake-up call for the Stars and five minutes later, they managed to get just outside the danger zone. Lusajo's fierce strike, however, was parried away by Joel Kiassumbua in the Leopards goal for an unfruitful corner.
Tanzania pulled level in the 35th minute when the hosts left Msuva unmarked from 35-yards and he unleashed a rocket that hit the inside of the crossbar before bouncing in the net.
After the pause, Tanzania came back more composed and keen on getting the second goal. They tried to push forward whenever they got an opportunity.
However, it was the hosts who threatened again in the 51st minute. A good cross from the left was headed in by the dangerous Akono, but the goalkeeper put it out for a corner.
In the 65th minute, Manula had to be alert to deny substitute Bangala who was left with acres of space just outside the danger zone. The latter picked his spot, but the custodian dived on time to save it for his teammates.
Shortly after, the Taifa Stars won a free-kick on the edge of the box, it was well brought in but Msuva had a difficult task guiding the ball home and it went out for a goal-kick.
From there on the hosts looked the better team, but despite late pressure by the Leopards, the Stars held on to collect a vital point away.
DRC XI: Joel Kiassumbua, Glody Ngonda, Marcel Tisseron, Araba Akolo, Samuel Moutoussamy, Dieumerci Mbokani, Yannick Bolassie, Amale Mukoko, Christian Luyindama, Cedric Bakambu, Mangolo Mremba.
Tanzania XI: Aishi Manula, Clement Nickson, Erasto Nyoni, Job Dickson, Feisal Salum, Reliants Lusajo, Simon Msuva/ Israel Patrick, Hussein Mohamed, Mzamiru Yassin, Novatus Dismas, Shomari Kapombe
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