BENIN were left seething in their Africa Cup of Nations opener as they were robbed of a penalty against the Democratic Republic of Congo – after VAR stopped working.
They were already behind thanks to Theo Bongonda’s first half opener, which proved to be the only goal.
And there was major controversy after they should have been awarded a spot-kick when former Newcastle defender Chancel Mbemba handled the ball.
Footage has emerged of the centre-back, 31, with his arm away from his body when he was trying to clear a free-kick from Jodel Dossou.
And South African referee Abongile Tom was advised to head to the monitor to have another look after he initially waved away Benin’s penalty claims.
But he could not overturn the call because VAR sensationally BROKE – leading to DR Congo being incredibly fortunate at Al Medina Stadium.
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Problems with the referee’s communications equipment contributed to ten minutes of stoppage time.
But VAR had been working earlier in the second half as DR Congo frontman Cedric Bakambu had a close range header ruled out for an infringement in the build-up after a long review.
Benin were furious after being denied a spot-kick and are already facing an uphill battle to get past the group stage of Afcon thanks to the defeat.
Sunderland left-back Arthur Masuaku grabbed the assist for the all-important winner.
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Benin defender Yohan Roche ducked under his long ball forward and Bongonda pounced with a first-time volley.
Masuaku’s Sunderland team-mate Noah Sadiki was also in DR Congo’s starting line-up, along with West Ham star Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Burnley centre-back Axel Tuanzebe.
The two-time Afcon winners will face Senegal in their next showdown in Group D.
Benin are set to take on Botswana knowing that another defeat would likely end their hopes of advancing to the knockout stage.
DR Congo are gunning for glory after it recently emerged that they were facing being STRIPPED of their bid to qualify for the World Cup.
It has been alleged that they have fielded nine ineligible players en route to clinching a spot in the Inter-Continental play-offs.
