Africa Cup of Nations
CongoCongo2DR CongoDR Congo4

Congo 2-4 DR Congo

By Ian HughesBBC Sport
DR Congo celebrate scoring against Congo

DR Congo fought back from two goals down to beat neighbours Congo and reach the Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals.

Ferebory Dore volleyed Congo in front and Thievy Bifouma drove in from a rebound to make it 2-0 either side of DR Congo efforts that hit the bar.

In a 16-minute spell DR Congo's Dieumerci Mbokani slotted in to give them hope, Jeremy Bokila equalised and Joel Kimuaki headed a third.

Mbokani rounded off the win, stroking home after a counter-attack.

It capped a remarkable fightback from DR Congo who looked to be heading out of the competition when they were two goals down just after the hour mark.

A tepid first half, in which Congo were unable to assert themselves at all, ended goalless and there was no sign of what was to follow.

DR Congo had a strong shout for a penalty immediately after the break and then Bokila smashed a shot against the bar from 12 yards.

Dieumerci Mbokani
Two-goal hero Mbokani was outstanding in attack for DR Congo

Only four minutes later Congo struck the first blow when Dore ghosted in at the far post to volley in from a long, diagonal free-kick into the box.

DR Congo almost equalised shortly after when Cedric Makiadi's free-kick crashed against the bar. But instead they conceded again after Jean Kasusula passed the ball out of defence straight to Dore whose shot was blocked by Kidiaba into the path of Bifouma and his effort beat the defenders on the line.

However, DR Congo refused to cave in and three minutes later they finally got the goal they had been threatening, Yannick Bolasie beat two men for pace and cut the ball back from the byeline for an unmarked Mbokani to slot home.

A minute later Bokila somehow missed the target after a knockdown from the excellent Mbokani, and then Dore was inches away from making it 3-1 to Congo as the game swung from end to end.

Back came DR Congo and Bokila finally made up for his earlier wastefulness when he fired a left-foot shot into the top corner and levelled the score.

With DR Congo now in the ascendancy they used their momentum to press Congo back and won a free-kick on the left flank. Cedric Mabwati swung in the set-piece and substitute Kimuaki glanced a header into the corner to put his side in front.

A magnificent turnaround was capped when substitute Neeskens Kebano found Mbokani, who followed up after his initial effort was saved to slot home his second and his side's fourth.

DR Congo fans
DR Congo fans celebrate after their team's fightback from 2-0 down to win 4-2
Thievy Bifouma (centre) is mobbed after scoring Congo's second but they could not hold the lead
Thievy Bifouma (centre) was mobbed after scoring Congo's second but they could not hold the lead

Line-ups

Congo

Formation 4-3-3

  • 1Mafoumbi
  • 18Baudry
  • 21Babélé
  • 4Moubhibo
  • 6Bissiki
  • 8N'DingaBooked at 83mins
  • 7Oniangué
  • 5Bouka MoutouSubstituted forOndamaat 84'minutes
  • 12LitsingiSubstituted forGandzéat 84'minutes
  • 13Bifouma Koulossa
  • 10DoreSubstituted forMalongaat 74'minutes

Substitutes

  • 2N'Ganga
  • 3N'Ganga
  • 9M'boussy
  • 11Ondama
  • 14Gandzé
  • 15Douniama
  • 16Massa
  • 17Malonga
  • 19Malonga
  • 20Binguila
  • 22Ndzila
  • 23Mavoungou

DR Congo

Formation 4-4-2

  • 1Muteba
  • 2Issama Mpeko
  • 14ZakuaniSubstituted forKimwakiat 50'minutes
  • 17Mongongu
  • 3Kasusula
  • 18Mabwati GerardSubstituted forKebanoat 66'minutes
  • 22Mbemba Mangulu
  • 6MakiadiBooked at 40minsSubstituted forMungangaat 89'minutes
  • 11Bolasie
  • 19Bokila
  • 9Mbokani

Substitutes

  • 4Oualembo
  • 5Munganga
  • 7Mulumbu
  • 8Kage
  • 10Kebano
  • 12Mabele
  • 13Kabananga
  • 15Kimwaki
  • 16Kudimbana
  • 20Mabidi
  • 21Mubele
  • 23Mandanda
Referee:
Bernard Camille

Match Stats

Home TeamCongoAway TeamDR Congo
Possession
Home53%
Away47%
Shots
Home12
Away21
Shots on Target
Home3
Away10
Corners
Home3
Away3
Fouls
Home25
Away21

Live Text

  1. Post update

    Match ends, Congo 2, Congo DR 4.

  2. Full Time

    Second Half ends, Congo 2, Congo DR 4.

  3. Post update

    Dominique Malonga (Congo) hits the right post with a right footed shot from the right side of the six yard box. Assisted by Marvin Baudry.

  4. Post update

    Attempt blocked. Dominique Malonga (Congo) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Césaire Gandzé.

  5. Goal!

    Goal! Congo 2, Congo DR 4. Dieumerci Mbokani (Congo DR) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal.

  6. Post update

    Attempt saved. Dieumerci Mbokani (Congo DR) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Neeskens Kebano.

  7. Post update

    Thievy Bifouma (Congo) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  8. Post update

    Foul by Issama Mpeko (Congo DR).

  9. Substitution

    Substitution, Congo DR. Nelson Munganga replaces Cedrick Makiadi.

  10. Post update

    Attempt saved. Joël Kimwaki (Congo DR) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner.

  11. Post update

    Foul by Fabrice N'Guessi (Congo).

  12. Post update

    Jeremy Bokila (Congo DR) wins a free kick on the right wing.

  13. Post update

    Foul by Neeskens Kebano (Congo DR).

  14. Post update

    Dimitri Bissiki (Congo) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  15. Post update

    Attempt blocked. Fabrice N'Guessi (Congo) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Thievy Bifouma.

  16. Post update

    Attempt saved. Yannick Bolasie (Congo DR) right footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Dieumerci Mbokani.

  17. Post update

    Foul by Chancel Mbemba Mangulu (Congo DR).

  18. Post update

    Prince Oniangué (Congo) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

  19. Post update

    Foul by Dieumerci Mbokani (Congo DR).

  20. Post update

    Boris Moubhibo (Congo) wins a free kick in the defensive half.