The Leopards of DR Congo set-up a final clash with Ghana’s Black Stars at the ongoing African Natiuons Championship (CHAN) courtesy a 2-1 victory over Zambia’s Chipolopolo in their semi-final clash on Wednesay at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium, Abidjan.
First half strikes from Lofo Bongeli and Kaluyituka Dioko was all the Congolese needed to confirm their place in Sunday’s final of the competition designed exclusively for local based players.
The Congolese stamped their authority on the game from the start with regular possession.
On four minutes, midfielder Lofo struck the opener with a long range shot from his favorite left foot that caught Zambia goalie Kaumbwa Davy of guard.
As the Zambians warmed themselves into the game, Kaluyituka made matters worse for the Southern Africans with the second goal 12 minutes on.
Lofo turned provider as Kaluyituka finished off with a grounder that beat Kaumbwa again.
The Leopards were a delight to watch as they attached and defended gallantly in their quest to thwart the Zambians effort at goal.
The Chipolopolos dangerman Given Singuluma was given no breather by the Congolese defenders and this affected his team’s attempts at reducing the deficit.
And to add salt to injury, Jonas Sakuwaha goofed with their brightest opportunity in the 43rd minute by shooting feebly into the waiting hands of Congolese goalie Kadiaba Muteba.
The Zambians resumed strongly but the Congolese rear of Mihayo Kazembe, Mabele Bawaka, Gladys Bokese and Joel Kimuaki remained resolute.
Five minutes from time, Singuluma headed home from Kennedy Mudenda’s freekick, but it came very late.
The last five minutes belonged to the Zambians as they consistently pinned the Congolese to their half, but the equalizer remained elusive.
Meanwhile, Zambia will face Senegal in the third place play-off on Saturday at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium.
Quotes
Herve Renard (Coach, Zambia)
"We were down by two goals and we to draw parity. We fought very hard but the equalizer never came.
"We have to accept the result. My team played well despite the loss and I am pleased with their output especially the second half."
Muntubile Santos (Coach, DR Congo)
"It was a very tough game and am very happy with the result. We took a two-goal lead very early and it proved crucial.
"The second half was different, but my defense responded positively. We are in the final, but our dream cant be complete without the ultimate."
Friday, March 06, 2009
Monday, March 02, 2009
Ghana, DR Congo qualify for semis
Ghana’s Black Stars displayed a spirited performance to beat the Leopards of DR Congo 3-0 in the ultimate Group B clash at the Stade de la Paix, Bouaké on Sunday.
The result also ensured the Ghanaians finished as group winners, and qualified alongside the Congolese despite their wide-margin loss.
The two teams’ ticket to the next stage was made possible after fellow contenders Libya and Zimbabwe played to a barren draw in the group’s other clash at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium, Abidjan.
The Libya-Zimbabwe stalemate ensured Ghana finished on five points, one adrift of DR Congo with Zimbabwe and Libya in that order on three and two points respectively.
For the Ghanaians, it was their best outing at the tournament and surprisingly it came at a time their coach Milovan Rajevac watched proceedings off the bench, due to suspension.
At Abidjan, the game started on a low tempo with both teams struggling to find their feet. The match, despite serving a decider for the determination of the group’s semi-finalists, was characterized by a handful of chances.
Libya’s Hmadi Osama 39th minute was the closest of the first half.
Both teams resumed strongly in the second half but failed to make any meaningful attempt, trying to keep the ball to in their half and wanting to catch the other on the counter.
However, Zimbabwe was gifted with two opportunities to break the deadlock in the latter stages of the game but it was captain Gilbert Banda’s that cost them most.
Banda, left unmarked in the Libyan defence failed to connect Karuru Ovidy’s cross with the yawning net at his mercy.
For the semi-final, Ghana will play Senegal in Bouaké while Zambia squares DR Congo in Abidjan on Wednesday.
Quotes
Sunday Marimo (Coach, Zimbabwe)
“It’s very painful to exit a competition without losing and we should have won this game.
We played very well in the first half, peaked in the second half but failed to convert our chances.
“We have learnt a from this tournament, and the experience is crucial for my players.”
Faouzi Benzarti (Coach, Libya)
“I am very disappointed we couldn’t win today. The experience is very good for my team and we hope to build on that for the future.”
The result also ensured the Ghanaians finished as group winners, and qualified alongside the Congolese despite their wide-margin loss.
The two teams’ ticket to the next stage was made possible after fellow contenders Libya and Zimbabwe played to a barren draw in the group’s other clash at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium, Abidjan.
The Libya-Zimbabwe stalemate ensured Ghana finished on five points, one adrift of DR Congo with Zimbabwe and Libya in that order on three and two points respectively.
For the Ghanaians, it was their best outing at the tournament and surprisingly it came at a time their coach Milovan Rajevac watched proceedings off the bench, due to suspension.
At Abidjan, the game started on a low tempo with both teams struggling to find their feet. The match, despite serving a decider for the determination of the group’s semi-finalists, was characterized by a handful of chances.
Libya’s Hmadi Osama 39th minute was the closest of the first half.
Both teams resumed strongly in the second half but failed to make any meaningful attempt, trying to keep the ball to in their half and wanting to catch the other on the counter.
However, Zimbabwe was gifted with two opportunities to break the deadlock in the latter stages of the game but it was captain Gilbert Banda’s that cost them most.
Banda, left unmarked in the Libyan defence failed to connect Karuru Ovidy’s cross with the yawning net at his mercy.
For the semi-final, Ghana will play Senegal in Bouaké while Zambia squares DR Congo in Abidjan on Wednesday.
Quotes
Sunday Marimo (Coach, Zimbabwe)
“It’s very painful to exit a competition without losing and we should have won this game.
We played very well in the first half, peaked in the second half but failed to convert our chances.
“We have learnt a from this tournament, and the experience is crucial for my players.”
Faouzi Benzarti (Coach, Libya)
“I am very disappointed we couldn’t win today. The experience is very good for my team and we hope to build on that for the future.”
Sunday, March 01, 2009
Senegal, Zambia into Semi Finals
Senegal and Zambia have qualified for the semi-finals of the ongoing maiden edition of the African Nation Championship (CHAN) after stalemate in their final Group A matches on Saturday.
The Teranga Lions of Senegal was held to a barren draw by hosts Cote D’Ivoire at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium, Abidjan whilst Zambia played to a one all draw with Tanzania in the Northern Ivorian city of Bouaké.
The result ensured the Chipolopolos of Zambia finished as group winners on five points, same as Senegal but on superior goals.
Tanzania follow in that order on four points with hosts Cote D’Ivoire pegged at the bottom with a point.
For the hosts, they continued with their disappointing output at the performance as they exited without scoring a goal.
In their final game against Senegal, the Elephants came close to breaking the goal scoring jinx, but the post denied Diomande Aboubacar’s effort in the 75 minute.
Earlier in the first half of the game characterized by midfield action, Senegal midfielder Badiane Vito was unlucky to see his goalbound shot ricochet of the post.
It was an improved performance from the hosts, who for the first time in the competition made clear their intentions of scoring with several raids into the half of the Senegalese.
Knowing very well a draw will take them through; the Senegalese never rested on their oars and matched the host squarely.
However, their plan was to prevent the Ivorians from scoring, which they succeeded to claim a ticket for the medal zone.
The Teranga Lions will face the winner of Group A in next Wednesday’s semi-final at the Stade de la Paix in Bouaké.
Zambia on the other will face the second placed team from Group B in the other semi-final clash in Abidjan.
Qoutes
Georges Kouadio (Coach, Cote D’Ivoire)
“I apologized to all Ivorians for the disappointing performance of my team at the tournament. For today, we did our best but we lacked a potent striker who could bury the chances.
“Lack of strikers is a general problem in this country, because the best players always leave for Europe and other parts of Africa very early.
Joseph Koto (Coach, Senegal)
“Our target was the semi-final and we have achieved that. My team’s problem is playing on the offensive.
“I tried to change the tactics in the second half, but the goals never came.”
Courtesy: Cafonline.com ( visit for more info )
The Teranga Lions of Senegal was held to a barren draw by hosts Cote D’Ivoire at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium, Abidjan whilst Zambia played to a one all draw with Tanzania in the Northern Ivorian city of Bouaké.
The result ensured the Chipolopolos of Zambia finished as group winners on five points, same as Senegal but on superior goals.
Tanzania follow in that order on four points with hosts Cote D’Ivoire pegged at the bottom with a point.
For the hosts, they continued with their disappointing output at the performance as they exited without scoring a goal.
In their final game against Senegal, the Elephants came close to breaking the goal scoring jinx, but the post denied Diomande Aboubacar’s effort in the 75 minute.
Earlier in the first half of the game characterized by midfield action, Senegal midfielder Badiane Vito was unlucky to see his goalbound shot ricochet of the post.
It was an improved performance from the hosts, who for the first time in the competition made clear their intentions of scoring with several raids into the half of the Senegalese.
Knowing very well a draw will take them through; the Senegalese never rested on their oars and matched the host squarely.
However, their plan was to prevent the Ivorians from scoring, which they succeeded to claim a ticket for the medal zone.
The Teranga Lions will face the winner of Group A in next Wednesday’s semi-final at the Stade de la Paix in Bouaké.
Zambia on the other will face the second placed team from Group B in the other semi-final clash in Abidjan.
Qoutes
Georges Kouadio (Coach, Cote D’Ivoire)
“I apologized to all Ivorians for the disappointing performance of my team at the tournament. For today, we did our best but we lacked a potent striker who could bury the chances.
“Lack of strikers is a general problem in this country, because the best players always leave for Europe and other parts of Africa very early.
Joseph Koto (Coach, Senegal)
“Our target was the semi-final and we have achieved that. My team’s problem is playing on the offensive.
“I tried to change the tactics in the second half, but the goals never came.”
Courtesy: Cafonline.com ( visit for more info )
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