DR Congo beat hosts Rwanda to qualify for 2016 CHAN semis

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) qualified for the semifinals after beating hosts Rwanda at the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) on Saturday.

Coach Florent Ibenge's Leopards beat Rwanda 2-1 in the first quarter- final clash played at the Amahoro Stadium on Saturday in front of over 30,000 fans.

The first goal resulted from a defensive lapse after Rwanda's defender Abdul Rwatubyaye fumbled giving the ball to Doxa Gikanji.

The striker made no mistake releasing a hard shot from outside the box that beat the Rwanda goalkeeper Eric Ndayishimiye.

The visitors dominated most of the first half giving Rwanda no chance.

Rwanda's only clear cut chance came after 39 minutes when Innocent Habyarimana's shot was punched out for a corner by DRC goalkeeper Ley Matampi.

In the second half, the Rwanda team returned motivated with Ernest Sugira causing the DRC defenders all sorts of pressure.

Sugira leveled the scores after 58 minutes with a hard shot from a Jean Claude Iranzi cross.

The home side continued to put pressure but still failed to find the net.

After playing to a full 90 minutes, the two teams had to battle for another 30 extra minutes and DRC scored the winning goal after 114 minutes with a header coming form defender Padou Bompunga.

"We are disappointed that after fighting back from a goal down we lost as the game was getting to the end," said Rwanda's coach Johnathan McKinstry after the game. Endit