Well, there were the sounds of guns firing but no goals as Peterborough United defender Gaby Zakuani played for DR Congo in Tripoli!
Transfer listed Peterborough United defender Gaby Zakuani played the full 90 minutes for DR Congo on Friday [7th June] against Libya.
It was Libya`s first home match for three years after FIFA lifted the ban on them playing any home matches but it was worrying times for Zakuani and his DR Congo teammates.
Their preparations for the match in Tripoli were done under tight security but they could still hear the sounds of gunfire!
Zakuani said after the match: “It was a really intimidating place from start to finish.
“You could hear gunshots going off during the two training sessions we had here.”
The match itself was also a hostile environment as Zakuani continued: “There were rocks being thrown onto the pitch and an army helicopter hovering above the stadium during the game. The manager has complained to FIFA about it.
“DR Congo is pretty intimidating although it`s nothing like what we`ve had here, but it is not enough to make me turn my back on my country.”
The match ended goalless which leaves DR Congo third in their 2013 FIFA World Cup African Group I table; one point behind Libya and leaders Cameroon.
The result was a big disappointment for all connected with Libya as they played their first competitive home match in Tripoli since 2010.
There were few goal scoring opportunities in the match but the Mediterranean Knights wasted a great chance early on when captain Ahmed Osman saw his penalty saved by DR Congo keeper Robert Kidiaba.
Substitute Mohamed El Gadi went close with a drive with just ten minutes left but his effort went wide of the target for the home side.
The result was the same as the first match between the two countries in Kinshasa three months ago.
Only the winners of the group will advance to the play-off stage where the continent`s five qualifiers for Brazil 2014 will be decided.
DR Congo host group leaders Cameroon in their next match on Sunday [16th June]. Zakuani will again be hoping to keep his place in the side.
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