Group A
Zambia 1 Morocco 3
DR Congo 2 Angola 0
NAIROBI, Kenya: Two-time African Nations Championship (CHAN) winners DR Congo boosted their quarter-final hopes at the TotalEnergies CHAN PAMOJA 2024 with a clinical 2-0 victory over Angola on Thursday night at Moi International Sports Centre.
Second-half headers from Jephté Kitambala and substitute Jonathan Mokonzi sealed the result, keeping the Leopards A’ firmly in contention from Group A, while condemning Angola to an early exit without a single goal scored in the tournament.
The opening half saw both sides trade chances. Angola’s Beni Jetour and Kaporal tested DR Congo goalkeeper Brudel Efonge, while Kitambala drew a sharp save from Neblú in the Palancas Negras’ goal.
Despite their aerial threat from set-pieces, Angola failed to break down a disciplined Leopards defence, with Ibrahim Matobo and Oscar Kabwit also missing opportunities for DR Congo before the interval.
The breakthrough came in the 58th minute when Âgée Basiala delivered a pinpoint free-kick that Kitambala glanced into the bottom corner. Angola reacted with a triple attacking change, Jó Paciência, Mafuta, and Gogoró, and almost levelled through Vidinho’s close-range header, only for Efonge to produce a vital stop.
As the pressure mounted, DR Congo struck again. Another Basiala set-piece found Mokonzi, whose towering header past Neblú sealed all three points. Basiala’s set-piece mastery proved decisive, assisting both goals, while Kitambala’s movement and Mokonzi’s instant impact underlined DR Congo’s attacking depth.
Earlier in the day, Morocco revived their Group A campaign with a 3-1 win over Zambia at Nyayo National Stadium. Mohamed Hrimat, Oussama Lamlaoui, and Sabir Bougrine netted for the Atlas Lions, ensuring Zambia’s elimination after a third straight defeat.
The group’s final day will see DR Congo and Morocco face off for top spot for an automatic quarter-final qualification, while Kenya’s encounter with Zambia, who are already out of the competition, will determine the other quarter-finalist from Group A.
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