DR Congo Keep Slim AFCON Hopes Alive with 3-1 Win Over Sierra Leone
Kinshasa, DR Congo – 19 November 2014
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) kept their hopes of qualifying for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) alive, securing a 3-1 win over Sierra Leone on Wednesday in Kinshasa. However, the Leopards’ qualification remains uncertain, as they must now wait for the results from other groups to determine if they can finish as one of the best third-placed teams.
The match saw the Leopards recover from a 1-0 deficit after Sierra Leone took the lead in the 47th minute with a long-range shot. Despite a slow start, the Congolese side equalized just before the break through Yannick Bolasie’s close-range strike in the 44th minute.
In the second half, the Leopards took control. Junior Kabananga won a penalty and was subsequently sent off in the 60th minute, but his teammate, Cédric Mongongu, kept his composure to score from the spot and put the hosts in front. The Leopards’ victory was sealed in added time when the lively Delvin N’Dinga found the net to make it 3-1.
Though the win gave the Leopards some hope, it was not enough to guarantee qualification. With the goal difference a crucial factor in the battle for third place, DR Congo were unable to significantly improve their standing. Their hopes now rest on the results from other groups, as they currently hold a goal difference of +1, compared to Egypt’s 0 and Malawi’s -4.
“The victory was important for us, but now we must wait and see what happens in the other groups,” said DR Congo head coach Florent Ibenge. “We’ve done what we could, but the final outcome is out of our hands.”
To qualify as one of the best third-placed teams, the Leopards now need the third-placed teams in Groups A (Congo or Nigeria) and other groups to not accumulate 10 points, while also hoping Egypt or Malawi fail to secure victories in their final matches.
The final qualification spots for the tournament, scheduled to take place in Equatorial Guinea in January 2015, will be decided once all groups have concluded their fixtures.
For now, DR Congo’s fate is in the balance, as they await the results that could either secure or dash their hopes of a return to the continental stage.
