Congo defeated Burkina Faso 2-1 to top Group A of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday, reaching the quarter final stage for the first time since 1992.
Claude Le Roy’s men beat 2013 finalists Burkina Faso, courtesy of Thievy Bifouma’s strike in the 51st minute and Fabrice Ondama’s 88th-minute winner.
Burkina Faso’s Aristide Bance levelled four minutes from time but his were not lucky after Jonathan Pitroipa – top scorer in the qualifiers – missed a number of chances.
Pitroipa was unable to direct his seventh-minute header on target off Prejuce Nakoulma’s cross that found him 12 yards from goal.
He later got another clear-cut chance in the penalty area, but the blazed his volley over to end a disappointing half.
Thievy broke the deadlock in the 51st minute, converting from close range off Ferebory Dore’s low cross into the six-yard box.
The striker scored his second goal of the tournament, sandwiched between Steeve Yago and Burkina Faso goalkeeper Germain Sanou who could reach the ball.
Substitute Aristide Bance and Bertrand Traore from the bench reignited Burkina Faso with an 86th-minute strike.
Bance equalised off a Ouedraogo cross but Congo’s Ondama took advantage Ohh Sanou’s error following a free-kick, to nudge the ball into the net, securing the win and top spot in the group.
Congo with seven points from an unbeaten three-match run and were joined in the last eight by hosts Equatorial Guinea, 2-0 winners over Gabon in Bata.
