Congo back in contention with win over ethiopia

Congo claimed their first points of the Orange African Nations Championship with a 1 -0 win over Ethiopia in a group C match played Friday 17 January night at Mangaung’s Free State Stadium. A second half strike from Rudy Ndey condemned a wasteful Ethiopia to defeat and virtual exit from CHAN 2014. For long periods it looked like it would be Ethiopia’s night as they created chance after chance but somehow could not score.

Congo managed to weather an onslaught from Ethiopia and utilized their chance when it mattered most courtesy of Hardy Binguila picking out Rudy Ndey with a pass which the latter side footed past the keeper for the opening goal.

The first half had a litany of chances the majority of them for Ethiopia but inaccurate shooting kept the scoreboard blank. Early on in the first half a well taken Ethiopian free kick sailed through to unmarked Asrat Gobena who failed to get his header on target from the edge of the six yard box. Ethiopia connived to miss further chances perhaps the best of the lot being coming from striker Omod Omod. The lanky forward ran onto a through ball with a Congolese defender in tow. Omod’s first touch of the long ball saw him drag it past his marker but he never quite had it under control and on rushing Congo goalkeeper Gildas Mouyaki plucked it to safety before Omod could shoot.

At the other end hard running Moise Nkounkou was beginning to get the better of Alula Mekonnen. On 20th minute Nkounkou dribbled past Mekonnen and working his way into Ethiopian box but a further attempt at going past Biyadiglign Zewg failed and Congo blew a chance for the opener. On the stroke of half time Nkounkou burst into the box but with only the keeper toe poked his shot and Jemal Bushra saved. Just before that miss Ethiopian midfielder Adane Gebreyes carved an opening in the Congolese defence and struck a thunderbolt that narrowly missed the up-right.

It was a feisty contest befitting two sides fighting to stay in the competition with end to end action and attempts on goal from both Ethiopia and Congo. As both sides went in search of goals the game opened up and with numerous chances at both ends but ability to convert chances remained elusive.

Midway through the second half Congo opened a period of dominance and went close to scoring on a couple of occasions. Bersyl Obassi forced Jemal into a save on 53rd minute with a curling shot that was on target. Thereafter it was Binguila’s turn to fluff a chance, miscuing a rebound in front of goal.

On 58th minute Gebreyes threaded a through ball to Behailu Gobeze coming in from the right side and the latter’s shot was deflected for a corner. Walyas continued to pepper Mouyaki’s goal keeping the minder very busy. A combination of Mouyaki’s brilliance and poor finishing kept Congo from going behind
As the game wore on it looked like a solitary goal would win it for the scoring team and when it came it was Congo who were left celebrating. The win takes Congo into third with three (3) points while Ethiopia can no longer reach the next round of CHAN as they are yet to register points with one group match remaining. Congo will conclude group matches with a game against group C leaders Libya while Ethiopia plays Ghana.

Confederation of African Football News