DR Congo Leap Back Into AFCON Qualification Hunt with Win Over Sierra Leone
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Leopards have revived their hopes of qualifying for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) following a convincing 2-0 victory over Sierra Leone on Wednesday.
Originally scheduled to take place in Freetown, the match was relocated to Lubumbashi amid concerns over the Ebola outbreak affecting Sierra Leone. After a disappointing start to their campaign with a loss against Cameroon, the Leopards responded emphatically by controlling much of the encounter against the Leon Stars.
The breakthrough came in the second half when Vita Club striker Jordan Mubele capitalised on a defensive lapse to slot the ball past the Sierra Leone goalkeeper. The Leopards doubled their lead soon after, with Paul-José Mpoku Bokila finishing a well-delivered cross from Mabwati on the right flank.
While the Congolese dominated possession and the flow of the game, Sierra Leone posed limited threat, relying mainly on counterattacks. The win marks DR Congo’s first three points in Group D, reinvigorating their campaign and putting them back in contention for a place at the tournament in Morocco.
With momentum on their side, the Leopards will look to build on this result as qualification intensifies in the coming matches.
