DR Congo beat Angola to set up winner-takes-all clash with Morocco
Second-half headers from Jephté Kitambala and substitute Jonathan Mokonzi sealed a result that puts the Leopards A' firmly in the qualification race from Group A.
Earlier in the day, Morocco defeated Zambia 3-1, meaning Sunday's showdown between DR Congo and Morocco will likely decide a semi-final berth, while Angola's campaign ends with disappointment after failing to find the net.
Tight First Half
Both teams came into the game with contrasting situations — Angola needing a win to guarantee progress, and DR Congo aware that victory would put them within touching distance of the knockout stages.
The opening 45 minutes saw chances at both ends. Angola's Beni Jetour and Kaporal tested DR Congo goalkeeper Brudel Efonge from distance, while Jephté Kitambala forced a save from Neblú in the Angola goal.
The Palancas Negras looked dangerous from set-pieces, but were repeatedly denied by alert defending.
The Leopards had their moments too, with Ibrahim Matobo and Oscar Kabwit both going close, yet neither side could find the breakthrough before the interval.
Leopards Roar After the Break
The match came alive in the second half. DR Congo broke the deadlock in the 58th minute when gée Basiala's pinpoint free-kick delivery found Kitambala, who rose highest to glance his header into the bottom corner.
Angola responded with a flurry of attacking changes — bringing on Jó Paciência, Mafuta, and Gogoró — and nearly equalised through Vidinho's close-range header, only for Efonge to save smartly.
Just as Angola began to push forward, DR Congo struck again.
From a 70th-minute corner, Basiala once more provided the assist, delivering a teasing cross that Mokonzi met at the near post to double the lead. Angola's Frustration Grows
Pedro Gonçalves' side poured numbers forward in the final quarter of an hour, but their finishing let them down.
Jó Paciência fired over from range, Lépua's shot was blocked, and Kinito saw his late effort smothered by the DR Congo defence.
Substitute goalkeeper Neblú kept the scoreline respectable with a fine save from Matobo, but the damage was done.
DR Congo's defensive discipline, marshalled by Osée Ndombele and Lolendo Mansanga, ensured there would be no late drama. Basiala the Architect
While both goals came from clinical headers, the common thread was Basiala's delivery.
The winger's set-piece precision proved the decisive factor, as he directly created both scoring opportunities.
Kitambala's movement and Mokonzi's impact off the bench also underlined the depth in Daouda Lupembe's squad.
With Morocco and DR Congo set to meet in Sunday's decisive clash, the stakes could not be higher.
The winner will likely advance, while Kenya's meeting with Zambia will determine the other quarter-finalist.
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