CHAN 2016: Group B
DR Congo 3-0 Ethiopia
Guy Lusadisu’s opener on the stroke of halftime sparked DR Congo’s 3-0 victory over Ethiopia in an exciting Group B encounter played on a wet Huye stadium Astroturf surface, Sunday evening.
Lusadisu who was named man of the match, broke a resilient Ethiopian outfit with the opener before further goals from Heritier Luvumbu and Elia Meschack gave Florent Ibenge’s side a comfortable victory.
In the opening half of the well-attended match, DR Congo team skipper Joel Kimwaki tested goalie Abel Mamo as early as the third minute but the effort from 25 yards out narrowly missed target.
Luvumbu had an 8th minute free-kick fly across of goal before Ethiopia’s Tamene Aschalem was booked for a foul on Jonathan Bolingi on the quarter hour mark.
Lusadisu missed a sitter in the 32rd minute as the Congolese pressed hard for a break through.
The determining moment indeed occurred when Lusadisu met Merveille Bope ball at the stroke of the half time break. Senegalese referee, Malang Diediou then called for the much needed half time rest.
Congo returned a completely different entity scoring the second goal just after two minutes of the game restart. Luvumba perfectly connected Bope’s cross from the right.
The third was a beauty off a well-orchestrated quick counter attack from the left. Joyce Lomalisa passed to the burly Nelson Munganga who laid a pass into in Bope’s way.
Bope delivered a pinpoint cross from the left that the lanky forward, Mpangi who back-heeled for an on-rushing Meschack to finish in an empty net as goalie Mamo had been beaten at the near post.
The two sides called for different changes as the game progressed. Ethiopia replaced Behailu Assefa, Alebachew Tesfaye and Yiech Gathuouch Panom with Tadle Mergiya, Ashrat Gobena and Samson Alemu respectively.
The Congolese technical wing also made the three substitutions. Goal hero Lusadisu came off for Ricky Tulenge, midfielder Nelson Munganga was replaced by Doxa Gikanji and Heriter Luvumbu paved way for Miche Mika.
The victory puts DR Congo ahead of group B with an upcoming fixture against Cameroon and Angola.
Team Line-ups:
Ethiopia XI:
Abel Mamo (G.K), Dejene Tekalign, Tegegn Anthenh Tesfaye, Eliyas Mamo, Deng Ramkel Lok, Tasfesse Tesfaye Sege, Aschalew Tamene, Seyoum Tesfaye (C), Yiech Gathouch Panom, Behailu Assefa Tesfaye Alebachew
Subs:
Belay Yared, Alula Girma, Asrat Gobena, Mohamed Suleiman, Beyene Yidnekachew, Tadle Mergiya, Tefesse Shewamene, Samson Alemu, Mulualem Haile, Dereje Genet Coach: Yohannes Sahlie Tesema (Ethiopia)
DR Congo XI:
Ley Matampi (G.K), Junior Baumeto, Joyce Lomalisa,Padou Bompunga, Elia Meschack, Heritier Luvumbu, Nelson Munganga, Merveille Bope, Joel Kimwaki (C), Guy Lusadisu, Jonathan Bolingi Mpangi
Subs:
Zacharie Mombo, Doxa Gikanji, Christian Ngudikama, Franck Mfuki, Sedrick Ngulubi, Christian Ngimbi, Ricky Tulenge, Jean Marc Makusu, Guelord Landu, Mika Miche, Yannick Bangala, Nike Hertitier
