DR Congo Whip Mali 3-0, Win Second CHAN Title, Bag $750,000 Cash Prize
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By EADM Sports Writer and Agencie
In Summary: It took two brilliant strikes from Mechak Elia and another superb goal by Jonathan Bolingi to seal the fate of Mali 3-0 to catapult the undisputedly superior DR Congo side to claim their deserved second title in the final of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Kigali, Rwanda Sunday
Dallas, Texas--Man of the match Mechak Elia plundered a brace as Jonathan Bolingi scored a spectacular third goal to give DR Congo’s Leopards a deserved victory over Mali’s Eagles 3-0 to garner their second African Nations Championship (CHAN) trophy in the final match played under a heavy downpour at the Amahoro stadium in Kigali, Rwanda Sunday.
Two brilliant strikes from Mechak Elia in both halves and another superb goal by Jonathan Bolingi sealed the fate of Mali to catapult the undisputedly superior DR Congo side to claim their deserved second CHAN title and also Bag $750,000 Cash Prize. The victory by DR Congo’s Leopards re-asserted their dominance of CHAN designed exclusively for footballers playing in their domestic leagues. The Congolese, winners of the inaugural edition in 2009 brushed aside the lackluster Malian side that was completely out of their element, news agencies reported.
News agencies reported that the two sides defied a heavy downpour that began shortly before South African referee Daniel Bennett blew the whistle to kick-off the match during which DR Congo fans cheered their side and helped them to settle, dictate terms, and emerge as the eventual winners.
The deadlock was broken on the 29 minutes when Bolingi headed to Elia who fired a thunderbolt that left Mali goalie Djigui Diarra beaten, the CAF Media site reported.
Although Mali’s Eagles made several attempts at goal both in the first and second half, Congolese defense marshalled by captain Joel Kimwakji and Yannick Bangala and keeper Ley Matampi proved a hard nut to crack.
The Congolese side resorted to counter attacks and their strategy soon paid off on 61 minutes when the 19-year old Elia , latching on to a through pass, beat his marker and rounded the Mali keeper Diarra before firing into an empty net to send the stadium into a frenzy. The third goal from Bolingi, on the 78th minute, finishing off a brilliant move by Joyce Lomalisa, took the game beyond the control of the Malians, extending Congo’s CHAN titles to two, as many times as they have won the Africa Cup of Nations; 1968 and 1974.
According to News agencies, the Orange Man of the Match was Mechak Elia of DR Congo, also crowned the tournament's top scorer with four goals and teammate and Captain Joel Kimwaki receiving the Fair Play award.
The Congolese Leopards, in addition to the trophy, bagged a hefty $750,000 while Mali’s Eagles walked away $400,000 richer as runners-up. Ivory Coast and Guinea who finished third and fourth respectively received cash prizes of $250,000 each, news agencies in Kigali said.
The final CHAN game, attended by over 30,000 fans, was also graced by the presence of President Paul Kagame of Rwanda and CAF president Issa Hayatou. The interim FIFA president, Issa Hayatou, awarded President Kagame a FIFA Order of Merit for his significant contribution toward a well-organized CHAN tournament.