Champions DR Congo make shock exit

JOHANNESBURG: Title-holders the Democratic Republic of Congo were shock African Nations Championship victims Saturday after being held 1-1 at home by neighbours Congo Brazzaville.

The defending champions bowed out on away goals after a goalless first leg of the final round eliminator in Brazzaville last weekend.

DR Congo boasted an outstanding record in the previous four tournaments for home-based footballers with two titles and two quarter-finals finishes.

They were expected to win at the 80,000-capacity Stade des Martyrs in Kinshasa and qualify for the 2018 Nations Championship in Kenya next January and February.

Jean-Marc Makusu Mundele put the title-holders ahead on 36 minutes only for Jaures Ngombe to equalise just two minutes later.

DR Congo needed at least one more goal to survive, but Congo defended bravely to clinch only a second appearance at the 16-team tournament.

Mali, who lost the 2016 final against DR Congo in Kigali, were another shock casualty as they had a man sent off when crashing 1-0 at home to Mauritania.

Karamoko Traore scored the tie-clinching goal on 38 minutes in Bamako and the hosts were reduced to 10 men before half-time when Boubacar Samassekou was red-carded.

Mauritania advanced 3-2 on aggregate as they confirmed that their days as African football whipping boys are over. - AFP