FT Rwanda 1-2 DR Congo

Padou Bompunga’s 113th minute goal broke the hearts of Rwanda fans as the Amavubi exited the African Nations Championship at the quarterfinals stage. The bruising battle at the fully packed Amahoro Stadium on Saturday evening produced no winner at the end of the normal time, and it had to be decided in the extra time.

The Leopards are through to the semis where Zambia or Guinea awaits.

Rwandans were no match for the Congolese’s free passing game in better part of the first half as they were left chasing shadows. Amavubi employed long balls moving into the attack with the main targets being skipper Jacques Tuyisenge and Ernest Sugira, but the Congo DR defense repulsed them without breaking a sweat.

Doxa Gikanji pounced on Nshimiyimana Amran’s careless clearance just outside the box to unleash a scorcher which left Rwanda keeper Ndayishimiye Eric motionless to give the Leopards the lead in the 11th minute.

Eight minutes later, Bolingi Mpangi Jonathan hit the woodwork after another shaky defending by the host.

Amavubi had two noticeable chances in the half; Ndayishimiye Celestin blasted over the bar from the left in the 24th minute, before Habyarimana Innocent watched in disbelief as his shot inside the penalty box in the 36th minute was parried away by Congo keeper Lay Matampi for a wasted corner.

Jean Claude Iranzi was lucky to walk way with a yellow card in the 45th minute after he deliberately stomped on Congo DR player, as the match proceeded to the break with the Leopards enjoying the slim 1-0 lead.

The second half belonged to Coach Johhny McKinstry’s side as they turned on the heat completely on the Leopards who had resorted to time wasting tactics.

The pressure paid off, and in the 56th minute, Ernest Sugira was set up by Jean Claude Iranzi, and the AS Kigali man wasted no time to level matters, sparking wild celebrations from the Amavubi fans.

Sugira should have added the second in the 70th minute after beating his marker Joel Kimwaki but his chip over advancing keeper Lay Matampi with the goal begging went over the bar.

Heritier Luvumbu had his chances at the other end of the field for Congo DR but they were not good enough. The match ended 1-1, and it went into the extra time.

The first half of the extra time was full of missed chances with Sugira and Luvumbu being wasteful for Rwanda and DR Congo respectively.

Padou Bompunga scored in the second half of the extra through a header in the 113th minute to break the hearts of the Amavubi as they watched in disbelief as their national pride got knocked out of CHAN 2016.

@bonfaceosano

Bonface Osano

African Football Writer contributing @Soka25east | Commentator; appeared on @MySoccerAfrica, @KweseSports, @ntvkenya, others | Keen follower of African Football. E-mail: bonfaceosano@gmail.com