CAN 2023 (Q): the DRC qualified for the final phase

Absent during the last edition, the DRC finds the African Cup of Nations. The Leopards have validated their ticket for the continental tournament after their victory this Saturday against Sudan (2-0).

The sixth and final day of the CAN 2023 qualifiers continued this Saturday with a decisive meeting at the Martyrs stadium in Kinshasa. The DRC and Sudan clashed for the last ticket of pool I. And on arrival, the Leopards won with the score of 2-0.

From the first moments of the match, the Congolese imposed their supremacy on the field. It was Théo Bongonda who opened the hostilities by scoring a crucial goal in the 5th minute of play, recovering with surgical precision a masterful cross from Charles Pickel. This achievement put the public in turmoil and gave the much sought after advantage to the DR Congo.

However, the Congolese beasts did not relax their grip on Sudan after this initial advance. They maintained their dominance, looking to score a second goal to cement their victory. This long-awaited moment finally came at the very end of the match, when Fiston Kalala Mayele launched into a solitary rush into the opponent’s area, signing the break in the 88th minute.

With this undeniable victory, the Democratic Republic of Congo validated its precious ticket for the final phase of CAN 2023. This qualification marks a triumphant return to the continental scene for Chancel Mbemba and his teammates, who had been forced to ignore on the last edition in Cameroon in 2022. Excitement is at its peak, and the entire nation is preparing to fervently support the Leopards in their quest for glory in Ivory Coast next year.