- DR Congo beat Angola 2-0 at Moi International Sports Centre.
- Goals came from Kitambala and Mokonzi, both headers from set pieces.
- Angola are out of the tournament without scoring a goal.
- DR Congo face Morocco next in a key Group A clash.
Two-time champions DR Congo moved a step closer to the CHAN 2024 quarter-finals after a confident 2-0 win over Angola on Thursday night in Nairobi. The result puts them top of Group A ahead of a high-pressure match against Morocco this Sunday.
Earlier in the day, Morocco defeated Zambia 3-1, setting up a direct showdown with DR Congo that could decide a semi-final spot. Angola’s loss confirmed their exit from the competition; they left without scoring in either match.
The opening half saw both sides creating chances but failing to score. Angola’s Beni Jetour and Kaporal tested DR Congo goalkeeper Brudel Efonge, while Jephté Kitambala and Ibrahim Matobo came close for the Leopards.
The deadlock broke in the 58th minute when Âgée Basiala curled a perfect free-kick to Kitambala, who headed into the bottom corner.
Angola tried to respond with fresh attackers, but in 70 minutes, Basiala struck again with a pinpoint corner, met at the near post by substitute Jonathan Mokonzi.
From there, DR Congo’s backline, led by Osée Ndombele and Lolendo Mansanga, kept Angola at bay. Substitute goalkeeper Neblú stopped Matobo from adding a third, but the Angolans never looked like staging a comeback.
Basiala’s precision from set pieces proved decisive, creating both goals and securing a win that leaves DR Congo just one step from the knockout stage.
