Two-time champions DR Congo are on the brink of a place in the quarter-finals of the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) PAMOJA 2024 after a disciplined 2-0 victory over Angola at Nairobi’s Moi International Sports Centre on Thursday night.
Second-half headers from Jephté Kitambala and substitute Jonathan Mokonzi secured the win, moving the Leopards A’ into pole position in Group A ahead of Sunday’s potentially decisive meeting with Morocco.
Earlier in the day, Morocco saw off Zambia 3-1, setting up a high-stakes showdown with DR Congo that could determine a semi-final berth. Angola, meanwhile, bow out after failing to score in either of their two matches.
The first half was a cagey affair, with both sides creating chances without finding the breakthrough.
Angola’s Beni Jetour and Kaporal tested DR Congo goalkeeper Brudel Efonge from range, while Kitambala and Ibrahim Matobo went close for the Leopards.
The breakthrough came on 58 minutes, when Âgée Basiala’s inch-perfect free-kick found Kitambala, who glanced his header into the bottom corner.
Angola responded with attacking changes, but their momentum was broken on 70 minutes when Basiala once again delivered from a set-piece, this time a corner met at the near post by Mokonzi.
From there, DR Congo’s defensive unit, marshalled by Osée Ndombele and Lolendo Mansanga, absorbed pressure and frustrated Angola, whose finishing deserted them.
Substitute goalkeeper Neblú prevented further damage with a sharp save from Matobo, but the Palancas Negras never looked likely to mount a comeback.
Basiala’s influence proved decisive, his precision from dead balls unlocking the Angolan defence twice.
