The Democratic Republic of Congo have shoot to the summit of Group I in the Ivory Coast 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers after being awarded three points in their appeal against Mauritania for using an ineligible player.
The Leopards played out to a 1-1 draw against Mauritania in a matchday four encounter played at Nouakchott last March.
However, the Congolese FA (FECOFA) would then lodge an official complaint to CAF against Mauritania for using three players including goalkeeper Babacar Niasse, left-back Khadim Diaw and defensive midfielder El Hadji Bâ who were deemed ineligible to feature.
The African football governing body CAF has since ruled in favour of the Leopards who have since been awarded three points to go top of the group ahead of Gabon.
The Leopards now sit top of Group I with 9 points while the Panthers of Gabon slip into second with 7 points.
A point at home for Sebastien Desabre’s Leopards side in their final group encounter against Sudan to be played in September, could be enough to seal the nation’s qualification for the AFCON.
