The Sunday News
DR Congo made a stunning second half comeback to beat Congo-Brazzaville 4-2 in Bata and qualify for the semifinals at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.
A brace from Dieudonne Mbokani sealed the Leopards’ passage to their first semifinal appearance since 1998 and end a nine game winless run at the tournament.
DR Congo await the winner of Sunday’s last eight meeting between Ivory Coast and Algeria in the semifinals on 4 February.
Meanwhile, the first half that finished scoreless failed to produce any anything close to that derby spark although DR Congo were the better side going forward as Congo looked rather flat.
In the eighth minute, DR Congo and Crystal Palace winger Yannick Bolasie’s shot bounced off the roof of Congo’s net.
Six minutes later, Jeremy Bokila blasted his volley straight at Congo goalkeeper Christoffer Mafoumbi who fumbled but the Red Devils got a let-off when the resultant corner was poorly executed.
Bokila continued to be a handful for the Congo backline and was unfortunate not to beat Mafoumbi in the 34th minute when the latter saved the Terek Grozny striker’s tame shot.
Congo’s best chance on goal came in the 41st minute when DR Congo goalkeeper Robert Kidiaba tipped over a rocketing free kick from Dore Ferebory.
However, all drama began in the 55th minute when Congo took the lead against the run of play when Prince Oniangue’s free kick was tapped in by Dore February after the giant striker beat the offside trap.
Six minutes later, DR Congo were on the ropes when Thievy Bifouma made it 2-0 after he finished off Dore’s poorly cleared shot in a moment of slapstick defending by the Leopards to score his third goal of the tournament.
The Leopards muted Congo’s celebrations in the 65th minute when Mbokani put DR Congo back in the game with a simple tap-in after some good work by Bolasie.
Ten minutes later, Jeremy Bokila fired in a stunning shot to level scores before Joel Kimwaki then headed in Neeskens Kebano’s free kick in the 80th minute to put DR Congo ahead for the first time in the match.
It was game set and match in the stoppage time when Mbokani beat Davy Bissiki before Mafoumbi spilt the ball and the Dynamos Kiev striker punished Congo to shutter their 41-year wait for a semifinal appearance. — Supersport
