Congo Brazzaville qualify for quarterfinals of African Nations Championship

RABAT, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) -- Congo Brazzaville continued their dream run in the 2018 African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Morocco, clinching Group D's first ticket to the quarter-finals on Saturday.

After eliminating title holders and neighbours DR Congo in the qualifiers and shocking Cameroon in their opening match at CHAN, Congo Brazzaville beat Burkina Faso 2-0 with a game to spare.

In a quite balanced game at Grand Stade of the Moroccan city of Agadir, Congo Brazzaville were largely efficient in converting their few goal attempts.

Carof Bakoua broke the deadlock at the 67th minute, before substitute Fred Ngoma confirmed the win at the 93th minute with a header.

Earlier on Saturday, Angola sent Cameroon home after defeating them 1-0 at the same venue from Ricardo Estevao's penalty kick in 30th minute.

After the second matches of Group D, Congo Brazzaville occupy the first spot with six points, followed by Angola with four points and Burkina Faso with one point in the third place. Cameroon are out of the running without a single point.

After the elimination, Cameroon's coach and former star Rigobert Song said "I am disappointed by the cruel end. We're eliminated from the tournament and it's a huge disappointment."

As for Angola's coach, Srdan Vasiljevic, he expressed his happiness after managing to beat Cameroon, a big name in African football. "Now, we have to think about our last game against Congo," he added.

In the last round of Group D matches on Wednesday, Angola will face Congo Brazzaville with a draw giving them the second ticket to quarter finals regardless of the other game between Burkina Faso and Cameroon.

The tournament, which is for African footballers based in their own domestic leagues, features 16 teams in four groups. Enditem