Morocco kept alive their chances of progressing in the Africa Cup of Nations after they stormed back from conceding a fifth-minute goal to beat Togo 3-1.

Beaten by Democratic Republic of Congo in their opening match, the former champions could ill afford another slip up.

Mathieu Dossevi shocked the more fancied Morocco by scoring at the end of a mazy run. Aziz Bouhaddouz justified his late call-up to the squad by equalising 10 minutes later.

Romain Saiss then put Morocco ahead before half-time and a long range shot from Youssef En-Nesyri in the 72nd minute completed the victory. Morocco are second in Group C with three points, one behind DRC and one ahead of the holders, Ivory Coast, who have drawn their two opening games. Togo have a single point.

Ivory Coast’s hopes of defending their title suffered a setback after they had to settle for 2-2 draw with DRC.

Following a goalless draw with Togo in their opening match, Friday’s result left them in a perilous position in Group C as they have only two points, while DRC top the standings with four points.

The Ivory Coast captain, Geoffroy Serey Die, struck a second-half equaliser with a deflected shot to keep alive their chances of advancing to the knockout phase. The top two clubs in each group progress to the next round.

Neeskens Kebano handed DRC a 10th-minute lead but Wilfried Bony equalised 16 minutes later. DRC quickly restored their lead through Junior Kabananga before Serey Die rescued a point for the champions in the 67th minute.