Axel Tuanzebe made his debut for DR Congo, while Wes Burns started for Wales today evening (Image: PA)
Ipswich Town defender Axel Tuanzebe earned his senior international debut this evening, starting for the Democratic Republic of Congo in their CAF World Cup qualifier against Senegal.
The 26-year-old played the full 90 minutes at right-back as the Leopards stood toe-to-toe with one of the strongest nations in African football, who began the likes of Everton midfielder Idrissa Gana Gueye and Chelsea’s Nicholas Jackson.
However, it was former Watford winger Ismaila Sarr who gave the hosts the lead in Diamniadio, slamming the ball into the back of the net following a low cross from the left in first-half stoppage time.
But with five minutes remaining, Sebastien Desabre’s side equalised through Fiston Mayele, who rifled a drive into the roof of the net just inside the area. The draw sees DR Congo drop to third in Group B, however, with Senegal currently in second behind leaders Sudan.
Earlier in the day, Cameron Burgess was left as an unused substitute for Australia, who beat Bangladesh 2-0 in Dhaka to add another three points in their AFC World Cup second-round qualifying campaign.
Goals by Heracles midfielder Ajdin Hrustic and Portsmouth’s Kusini Yengi saw them seal top spot in Group I, retaining their 100% record ahead of next week’s clash against Palestine.
Wes Burns got his seventh cap for Wales later in the afternoon, playing the full 90 minutes for Rob Page’s team against Gibraltar in a friendly match in the Algarve. They struggled to break down the team positioned 203rd in the FIFA rankings who’d lost their last 13 games by an aggregate score of 50-0.
Former Town loanee Kieffer Moore was added in the second half but couldn’t assist the Dragons secure a win, with the match finishing 0-0. Nathan Broadhead was left as an unused substitution.
It was an important encounter for Burns, however, with the winger returning to international duty for the first time since October 11th, 2023, when he was subbed off after 15 minutes when he injured his shoulder in a 4-0 win against Gibraltar in Wrexham.
Wales boss Page is under mounting pressure from supporters after they failed to qualify for Euro 2024, with today’s outcome further gn.boosting calls for him to be moved on ahead of the forthcoming Nations League campai
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