The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) beat Angola 4-2 to clinch their place in the quarter-finals of the African Nations Championship in Rwanda on Thursday, while Cameroon were held 0-0 by Ethiopia.
The Congolese became the second team to reach the last eight of the competition, joining hosts Rwanda, while Angola were eliminated after a second straight defeat.
DR Congo, who crushed Ethiopia 3-0 in their opening match on Sunday last week, picked up from where they left off against the Walias when they scored three first-half goals at the Huye stadium in Rwanda’s southern town of Butare.
Midfielder Nelson Munganga put Florent Ibenge’s side ahead in the eighth minute when he scored from a rebound and hardworking Meschak Alia added the second 10 minutes later.
Jonathan Bolingi added his name to the scoresheet with the third in the 38th minute for a 3-0 halftime lead.
Angola grabbed a lifeline in the 75th minute when Gelson Dala, following a solo run, split apart the DR Congo defense before finishing off with his left foot.
However, DR Congo put the result beyond doubt with an 82nd-minute header from Merveille Bope, with Yano’s effort a minute later not enough for Angola, who were knocked out of the 16-team competition.
Ethiopia then held Cameroon in the second match to stay alive in the competition.
The Walia Antelopes were desperate for a victory following their opening round defeat to DR Congo.
They had two chances inside the opening 20 minutes when Gatoch Panom tested the Cameroon goalkeeper from distance, only for his shot to be deflected away.
Haile Mulualem also squandered an excellent chance when, with only the goalkeeper to beat, he shot over the crossbar.
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