Defending champions Ivory Coast twice fought back to earn a 2-2 draw with DR Congo ©Getty Images

Defending champions Ivory Coast twice fought back to earn a 2-2 draw with DR Congo to keep their hopes of a quarter-final place at the Africa Cup of Nations.

In the other match to take place today, Morocco bounced back from their opening defeat with a 3-1 win over Togo.

DR Congo, who would have guaranteed a spot in the last eight with victory, started brightly and took the lead nine minutes in through Neeskens Kebano.

In what proved to be a thrilling first-half at the Stade D’Oyem, Wilfried Bony levelled things up for the Ivory Coast with the equaliser after 26 minutes.

However, barely 120 seconds later, DR Congo were back in front thanks to Junior Kabananga’s header.

The Ivorians, one of the pre-tournament favourites, restored parity for the second time shortly after the hour mark as Serey Dié’s effort found the net via a deflection.

They were then denied a winner late on as Salomon Kalou’s volley was ruled out for offside.

The result leaves the Ivory Coast still searching for their first win in Group C, while DR Congo remain top on four points.

Morocco are now second in the group, in front of the Ivory Coast, by virtue of their success against Togo, who are bottom on one point.

Junior Kabananga had given DR Congo a 2-1 lead in the first half before Ivory Coast rescued a point ©Getty Images
Junior Kabananga had given DR Congo a 2-1 lead in the first half before Ivory Coast rescued a point ©Getty Images

Ivory Coast came into the contest knowing a defeat could leave them on the brink of a shock early exit and their task was made more difficult when Kebano broke the deadlock with barely 10 minutes on the clock.

They were not behind for long as Bony converted Serge Aurier’s cross with a well-directed header 17 minutes later.

Kabananga then punished sloppy Ivorian defending as he was left unmarked at the back post to head home DR Congo’s second of the match.

With 23 minutes remaining, Ivory Coast managed to equalise, although there was more than a touch of fortune to the goal as Dié’s strike from 20 yards was deflected.

Aurier nearly turned provider once again late on as his free-kicked was turned home brilliantly by Kalou but the Ivorian striker was judged to have been in an offside position.

Mathieu Dossevi had given Togo the perfect start in their encounter with Morocco as he broke the deadlock five minutes in.

Morocco, facing elimination from the tournament, hit back as two first-half headers from Aziz Bouhaddouz and Romain Saiss gave them the lead at the break.

The win was capped off with a third from substitute Youssef En-Nesyri with 18 minutes to go as the North African side gave their quarter-final hopes a significant boost.