Morocco missed out on a chance to seal their place in the knockout stage of the Africa Cup of Nations after being held to 1-1 draw by DR Congo in their second group match at Stade de San Pedro on Sunday.

Ashraf Hakimi put the Atlas Lions ahead in the 6th minute and the North Africans looked set to seal their place in the knockout stage until DR Congo pulled a shock leveller at the stroke of full time courtesy of Silas Katompa Mvumpa.

After Morocco took the lead, DR Congo were handed a route back into the Group F clash when VAR awarded a penalty after a Moroccan handball in the box on 42 minutes.

Cedric Bakambu stepped up but squandered the golden opportunity to equalise as Yassine Bounou dived in the right but the ball went wide even before the Moroccan goalkeeper could intervene.

However, the Leopards finally drew level with 15 minutes left when Silas Katompa Mvumpa converted Elia Meschack’s assist.The sides could not be separated in an entertaining encounter as both retained hopes of reaching the knockouts.

The draw left Morocco top on four points, DR Congo second on two and all still to play for in Group F. Morocco will face Zambia next while DR Congo will tackle Tanzania in their final pool matches on Wednesday.

Morocco XI: Bounou, Hakimi, Aguerd, Saiss, Chibi, Amrabat, Ounahi, Amallah, Ziyech, En Nesyri, Boufal.

DR Congo XI: M’Pasi, Kalulu, Mbemba, Baka, Masuaku, Moutoussamy, Bongonda, Kakuta, Picket, Wissa, Bakambu.