Mozambique bounce back to hold Benin

 BENIN registered their first ever point at the African Cup of Nations but it could have been much better for the Squirrels had it not been for the disastrous goalkeeping of Yoann Djidonou.

HARD-FOUGHT BATTLE: Group C underdogs Benin and Mozambique play out entertaining 2-2 draw in Angola

The Squirrels raced into a two-goal lead at the Complexo da Sr. da Graça in Angola courtesy of a Razak Omotoyossi penalty and a Dario Khan own goal and appeared destined for their first victory in their third appearance in the tournament.

But two clangers from Djidonou gave Mozambique's Almiro Lobo and Goncalves Fumo the chance to rescue a draw for the Mambas.

It was Benin who started the brighter with Mouritala Ogunbiyi seeing his early shot blocked after a smartly-worked corner.

But it did not take the Squirrels long to break the deadlock with Omotoyossi, who plies his trade with Metz in France, embarking on a mazy run, only to be brought down in the penalty box by Mozambique goalkeeper Rafael.

Omotoyossi dusted himself down and drilled his spot-kick down the middle of the goal to give his side a deserved lead.

And things got better for Benin when PSG's Stephane Sessegnon showed lovely footwork and delivered a dangerous low cross which was turned into his own net by Khan.

Prior to kick-off Benin had lost all of their African Cup of Nations matches in their two appearances in the biennial tournament but with Sessegnon pulling the strings that run looked sure to come to an end.

But while the Squirrels looked a constant threat going forward, they looked anything but assured in defence and it was not long before Mozambique established a foothold in the game.

Benin goalkeeper Djidonou looked erratic from the word go with the former Red Star 93 stopper regularly coming off his line but rarely getting his hands to the ball.

And it proved costly for Benin on 29 minutes when Djidonou attempted to claim a corner, got nowhere near it, leaving Almiro Lobo with the simplest of headers to reduce the deficit.

The Squirrels held out until half-time but just ten minutes after the break, Mozambique were level with Djidonou again at fault.

The Mambas stopper inexplicably rushed out of his box, Genito took a quick thrown in and Hagi crossed for Fumo, who applied the finish with Djidonou stranded.

Djidonou did atone for his earlier misdemeanours with a fine save on 72 minutes to deny Mozambique captain Tico-Tico who unleashed a fine low drive that looked destined for the bottom-right corner until the keeper got his fingertips to it.

And with ten minutes remaining Rafael produced a fine stop to deny Sessegnon's header which was creeping into the far corner until the keeper intervened as the points were eventually shared.