Latest news with #LeopardsA
CAF
5 days ago
- Sport
- CAF
DR Congo beat Angola to set up winner-takes-all clash with Morocco
Two-time champions DR Congo took a huge step towards the quarter-finals of the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) PAMOJA 2024 with a composed 2-0 victory over Angola at Moi International Sports Centre, Nairobi on Thursday night. 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.
CAF
6 days ago
- Sport
- CAF
Derby of Destiny: DRC and Angola lock horns in CHAN quarter-final race
On Thursday evening, Nairobi's Nyayo National Stadium will be the scene of a clash that could define the fate of two nations in Group A of the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024. When the Leopards A' of the Democratic Republic of Congo meet the Palancas Negras of Angola, the prize is simple yet monumental — a giant leap towards the quarter-finals. It's not just football on the line. This is a contest rich in history, rivalry, and high stakes. For DRC, a two-time CHAN champion, the journey began with a stumble but roared back to life in their last outing. For Angola, runners-up in 2011, the tournament has been a story of steady progress and a squad in sync with its coach's vision. Both know that in a group this tight, the smallest detail can tilt the balance. From History to High Stakes The last time these two sides met in a CHAN final phase was in Rwanda 2016, a goal-laden semi-final that DRC won 4-2 before lifting the trophy. But 2024 is a different battleground. Angola, under Portuguese tactician Pedro Gonçalves, has built a cohesive unit in a disciplined 3-4-3 shape — a system designed to strike hard and fast when opportunities come. The DRC, on the other hand, has been a paradox — a giant in name, still searching for full consistency on the pitch. Their recent victory over Zambia was a much-needed reminder of their capabilities, and now they face a do-or-die contest that will test their mental and tactical steel. Lupembe: Pressure Must Be a Weapon, Not a Weight With head coach Otis Ngoma absent due to illness, assistant coach Daouda Lupembe has stepped into the spotlight, carrying both the tactical responsibilities and the motivational message. 'Being afraid of qualification is normal. But being afraid of losing is what leads to defeat. We must take this pressure positively, it must motivate us,' he said. Lupembe explained that their previous match allowed him to rotate and assess his squad. 'The first objective pursued with this tie match settled (3-1) in their favor, was to give playing time to those who had not yet played. "This allowed us to see what each could bring and to consider rearrangements compared to the team aligned against Zambia,' he added. He's under no illusion about the challenge Angola presents. 'It will be difficult because in front of us, we will have a team at the top of their 3-4-3, they can hurt at any time. It is up to us to be focused in the midfield especially. Football is played on details sometimes that you work on, you can never reduce the uncertainties of football.' Every Match Has Its Truth The assistant coach is urging his side to embrace the unpredictability of the game. 'Every match has its truth. There will be strong moments and weak moments. It's up to us to stay focused, to consolidate our strengths and to minimize our weaknesses. The whole Republic is behind these young people, and we believe in our ability to produce beautiful play and a good result.' Those words are a rallying cry for a team that knows what is at stake. A loss could effectively end their campaign; a win would throw the group wide open. Angola's Steady March Angola has quietly built momentum. After a 1-1 draw with Kenya and a 2-1 win over Zambia, they come into this match with four points and confidence in their style. Their blend of physical discipline and sharp attacking movement makes them a dangerous opponent — and with this being their last group game, there is no holding back. Fine Margins, Big Rewards In Group A, Morocco, Angola, and DRC are all still in contention. For the Leopards, avoiding defeat keeps them alive; for Angola, a win would punch their ticket to the knockout stages. The Nairobi crowd can expect intensity, drama, and perhaps a twist that will be remembered long after CHAN 2024 ends.
