DR Congo are CHAN champs again

The Democratic Republic Of Congo yesterday won the African Nations Championship (CHAN) for a second time, beating Mali 3-0 in the final in Rwanda.

The Leopards, coached by Florent Ibenge, secured the title with two goals from the impressive Mechak Elia and a late Jonathan Bolingi strike.

DR Congo become the first nation to win the trophy twice, having won the inaugural CHAN tournament - which is only open to footballers who play in their own local leagues - in 2009 in Cote d’Ivoire.

Ibenge also guided the senior DR Congo side to third place at last year's Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea.

Cote d’Ivoire took the bronze medal, beating Guinea 2-1 in an eventful third place play-off match which preceded the final.