DR Congo dump hosts Rwanda out of CHAN

@joekizza

CHAN 2016

Rwanda  1 (Sugira 56')   DR Congo 2  (Gikanji 10', Bompunga 113')

Padou Bompunga's extra-time goal sent DR Congo into the semi-finals of the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) at the expense of hosts Rwanda on Saturday.

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The hosts succumbed to early pressure and allowed Doxa Gikanji to put DR Congo in front in the 10th minute.

Ernest Sugira's powerful equalizer moments after restart restored belief among the home fans, who burst into life after a forgettable opening half.

But just as the spectre of penalty inevitability loomed large, Bompunga nodded home seven minutes before the end of extra-time to dampen spirits inside a fully-packed Amahoro Stadium.

Moments to kick-off, the 30,000-seater stadium bubbled with energy as the home faithful offered their voice behind the Amavubi Stars.

 

But such an electric atmosphere was soon muted early in the opening half when Daring Club Motema Pembe midfielder Gikanji picked up a pass on the edge of the box and his bazooka 20 yards out left home keeper Eric Ndashimiye frozen.

The Leopards, who won the very first CHAN title in 2009, were dominant for long periods of the first half.

They had so much to offer against a lethargic Rwandan side, whose 30-year-old Irish coach Johnny McKinstry watched uneasily from the sidelines.

McKinstry's side beat Ivory Coast and Gabon in the group stage, before suffering a heavy 4-1 defeat to Morocco in their last game. Despite a full home backing, though, the Amavubi appeared to not have shaken off the effects of that loss.

They looked very much pedestrian against the fast-paced Congelese players, who were inspired by the hardworking Héritier Luvumbu Nzinga.

The AS Vita Club midfielder's ubiquitous presence often sparked The Leopards, especially going in front.

It was a game high on entertainment and skill, but an easily noticeable factor was its physical nature. Goalscorer Gikanji was the first to go into South African referee Daniel Bennett's book for a high boot on Jean-Claude Iranzi.

The hosts, rarely a threat, almost clawed back in the 36th minute against the run of play but forward Innocent Habyarimana's effort was saved well by goalkeeper Ley Matampi.

Second half saw the Rwandans return a much renewed side, with Sugira often feeding off Iranzi's through-passes.

And with the home supporters sensing a leveler, it was inevitable that it did come 11 minutes later. Iranzi turned and slotted a pass into Sugira's channel and the 24-year-old AS Kigali striker fired home to send the crowd into wild celebration.

From then on, the tables appeared to have turned. Yannick Mukunzi and Iranzi had now settled into the midfield after a horrid first-half, and the two once exchanged some cute passes that dazzled the Congelese as much as they did excite the home fans.

Both sides shared some late opportunities as the clock ticked away, but a winning goal was out of sight. Forced into extra-time, the tie turned into a tense affair as Rwanda, having used all their substitutes, briefly played one man less when Sugira had to be stretchered off after picking up what appeared a knee injury.

The Leopards took advantage and just as it seemed the game would be determined by spot-kicks, Bompunga rose highest to head home from a set-piece and send the travelling fans into celebrations.

For Rwanda it was yet another dollop of football heartbreak, having only recently lost the final of the Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup 2015 to 14-time record holders Uganda in Ethiopia.

Meanwhile, in the second quarter-final of Saturday, Ivory Coast progressed with a thorough 3-0 victory over Cameroon. All goals were scored in extra-time after 90 minutes produced no winner.

Koffi Boua netted in the 95th minute, Atcho Djobo doubled the lead seven minutes later before Serge N'Guessan wrapped up the rout in the 112th minute.

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