Sunday

Group BDR Congo 3-0 Ethiopia

DR Congo got off to a good start in the African Nations Championship (CHAN) after a well-deserved 3-0 victory over Ethiopia in the Group B opening match on Sunday afternoon at the Huye Stadium in Huye.

Florent Ibengé’s side opened their goal account on the stroke of half time when Hertier Luvumbu curled in a magnificent cross from the left wing that was beautifully headed in by Guy Lisadisu giving his side a lead.

The 2009 CHAN champions, DR Congo mounted pressure on Ethiopia, forcing several back to back

opportunities in the first half with Lisadisu squandering a chance in the fifth minute from a left corner, but the shot went just over the woodwork.

Three minutes later, Ethiopia defender Seyoum Tesfaye fouled Congo’s Jonathan Mpangi a couple of yards from the penalty box but Hertier Luvumbu shot over the bar before Lisadisu missed another free kick from 20 yards, which went inches wide off the right post.

The Walias tried to come back in the game with right winger Deng Ramkel Lok producing several crosses, which failed to deliver anything.

Congo began the second half with more aggressiveness before Heritier Luvumbu  found the back of the net in the 46th minute to make it 2-0 off Meshack Elia’s cross, who went on to also score to make it 3-0 in the 58th minute.

Congo continued to dominate the second half with full confidence before a fully packed 10,000-seater stadium.

DR Congo head coach, Florent Ibenge, praised his players for a great win but cautioned them to turn their focus on their next "tougher” opponents Cameroon and Angola.

"I want to thank my players for a fantastic job against Ethiopia who were not easy opponents. They played according to instructions and delivered the goals when most needed,” said Ibenge after the match.

Meanwhile, in the second game of the day in this group, 10-man Cameroon cruised past Angola in a hard fought 1-0 victory thanks to a 23rd minute free kick by midfielder Yazid Atouba.

Both teams will return to the field on Thursday with DR Congo taking on Angola while Ethiopia will be up against Cameroon.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw