RFC Seraing full-back Morgan Poaty played 90 minutes in Congo’s dramatic defeat to footballing minnows South Sudan. the 25-year-old former Montpellier and Guingamp defender put in a solid defensive display, winning all of his ground and aerial duels according to FotMob. Poaty also recovered the ball seven times and created one chance.
After a goalless first half, South Sudan took a surprise lead through Peter Choi, yet were reduced to 10 men when Peter Maker was sent off in the 73rd minute. With a man advantage, Congo struggled until former West Brom and Espanyol winger Thievy Bifouma equalised from the spot in the 90th minute. Tito Okello, who plays for Paykan in Iran, came off the bench to score a 96th minute winner to stun Congo. This was South Sudan’s first win in qualification, having been beaten by both Mali and Gambia.
For Poaty and Congo, this defeat has severely damaged their chances of qualifying for the tournament in Cote d’Ivoire in January 2024. On Monday they will travel to Tanzania to face South Sudan again, with the Sudanese unable to play their matches at home in Juba.
This was just Poaty’s second cap for the Congolese national team. He was first called up in 2021, the same year in which he joined RFC Seraing. Since joining the Liege based side, he has played 65 games and scored three goals, all of which have come this season.
GBeNeFNÂ |Â Ben Jackson
