CHAN 2016 Quarter Finals:
Rwanda 1-2 DR Congo
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) defeated Rwanda 2-1 after extra time to knock the hosts out of the 2016 African Nations Championship (CHAN) on Saturday at the Amahoro stadium.
It was match full of passion and emotions from both sets of players and fans. Under two minutes, D.R Congo had two shots from Meschak Elia, one of those was on target.
Rwanda were playing the long balls to Ernest Sigura but Congo’s defense did a good job on the AS Kigali striker.
Ten minutes into the game, something unexpected happened, Rwanda lost possession in own goal mouth. Doxa Gikanji made no mistake as his thunderbolt into the top left corner of the post left everyone jaw dropping including Rwanda’s custodian Eric Ndayishimiye. Rwanda was a goal down infront of a full packed Amahoro Stadium and millions watching cross the country.
Nine minutes later, Congo’s leading marksman Jonathan Bolingi Mpangi hit the post after Emry Bayisenge and Abdul Rwatybyaye failed the communication test in defense.
The long balls failed to work for Rwanda and they failed to pass the ball as Congo’s quick reactions caught them off guard. Ten minutes to the break, Innocent Habyarimana got a rare chance when Congo’s Padou Bopounga failed to clear the ball, the former shot straight at Ley Matampi who parried it out for a corner.
Yannick Mukunzi and Jean Claude Iranzi were later booked for letting their emotions get the better of them unnecessarily.
Throughout the first 45 minutes, Congo dominated the tempo of the game with Elia on the left and the midfield of Nelson Munganga, Gikanji and Mervielle Bope making life hard for Yanick Mukunzi and Amran Nshimiyimama.
At the start of the second half, Johnathan McKinstry brought Dominique Savio Nshuti for Innocent Habyarimana Rwatubyaye almost found the back of the net off Iranzi’s corner but the former’s effort was inches off target.
Rwanda were pushing for an equaliser, skipper Jacques Tuyisenge also was denied by Matampi. But at the hour mark, Ernest Sugira broke away from Congo’s defense to shoot past Matampi, in the process taking the roof off the Amahoro.
The goal stabilized Rwanda and did the opposite to Congo, the home side also switched from the long balls and started running at Congolese.
With 17 minutes to play, Sugira was awarded with a golden opportunity to seal the game but his chip over Matampi just went over the bar.
Rwanda lost Rwatubyaye to injury and Faustin Usegimana came on, the duo played at the heart of defense, later Iranzi already on a yellow card and suspended for the next game made way for Dany Usengimana.
With all the chances to bury the game falling to Rwanda, the home side failed to capitalize as the game went into extra time.
Congo’s first sub was in extra time as Zacharie Mombo came on for Mechak Elia.
At the other end of the field, Sugira was still struggling to infront of goal. In the second part of extra time, he struggled with a groin injury and Rwanda had to negotiate the remaining part of the game one man down.
Bompunga broke the hearts of Rwanda with a header in the 110th minuete of the game.
Team Line-ups
Rwanda XI: Eric Ndayishimiye, Amran Nshimiyimana, Yannick Mukunzi, Emery Bayisenge, Jacques Tuyisenge, Jean Claude Iranzi (Dany Usengimana), Fitina Omborenga, Celestin Ndayishimiye, Ernest Sugira, Innocent Habyarimana (Dominique Savio Nshuti), Abdul Rwatubyaye (Faustin Usegimana) Unused subs: Michel Rusheshangoga, Mwemere Ngirinshuti, Djihad Bizimana, Rashid Kaliisa, Dany Usengimana, Kwizera Oliver, Yusuffu Habimana, Hegman Ngomirakiza, Fiston Munezero, Jean Claude Ndori
DR Congo XI: Ley Matampi, Joyce Lomalisa, Padou Bompunga, Elia Mechak (Zacharie Mombo), Doxa Gikanji, Heritier Luvumbu, Nelson Munganga, Merveille Bope, Joel Kimwaki, Jonathan Bolingi Mpangi, Yannick Bangala Used Subs: junior Baometu, Christian Ngudikama, Frank Mfuki, Derrick Ngulubi, Christian Ngimbi, Ricky Tulenge, Jean Marc Makusu, Guelord Landu, Miche Mika, Guy Lusadisu, Heritier Nke
