Africa Cup of Nations

[monks data]

African Nations Championship | Third-Place Playoff

Feb 7, 2015 at 4pm UK

Congo DR
0-0
Eq Guinea Equatorial Guinea

Congo DR win 4-2 on penalties

Match Report

Football

Congo DR clinch third at Africa Cup of Nations after penalties

By Sian Cowper, Reporter | 07 February 2015

Congo DR beat Equatorial Guinea in a penalty shootout to finish third at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Congo DR beat Equatorial Guinea 4-2 in a penalty shootout after the sides shared a goalless draw in the third-placed playoff at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Equatorial Guinea's midfielder Emilio Nsue (L) challenges Democratic Republic of the Congo's defender Cedric Mongongu during the 2015 African Cup of Nations third place play-off match on February 7, 2015 © Getty Images

The host nation almost took the lead inside the opening 10 minutes when Emilio Nsue tried to squeeze the ball in from a tight angle following a corner, but the Middlesbrough man was denied, while Robert Muteba also kept out Javier Balboa's follow-up effort.

Cedrick had the first chance of the match for Congo DR after Jeremy Bokila set the winger up for a powerful drive from the edge of the box, but he failed to beat the keeper.

Congo DR came close again early in the second half as Cedrick crossed for Chancel Mbemba Mangulu, but his header was tipped over by Felipe Ovono.

The keeper continued to frustrate Congo as he made saves to deny Dieumerci Mbokani and Yannick Bolasie before the hour mark as Equatorial Guinea continued to come under pressure at the back.

Bolasie and Gabriel Zakuani continued to press for Congo DR, but the Crystal Palace man was once again denied by Ovono, while the defender's header was straight at the keeper.

As the end of the 90 minutes approached, the host nation suddenly started to look the more likely, but Fabiani had his long-range effort saved, while Viera Ellong curled the ball high and wide from a free kick.

Balboa could have won it in the final minute of normal time as he unleashed a powerful drive from 25 yards out, but Muteba watched it all the way to make the save, ensuring that penalties would be needed to separate the two sides.

Balboa stepped up to take the first of the spot kicks, but he sliced his effort high and wide, allowing Cedrick to give Congo DR the advantage.

Fabiani saw his saved, so Lema Mabidi made it 2-0 to Congo DR, before Juvenal kept the host nation in it as he smashed his spot kick into the roof of the net.

Mangulu made it three out of three for Congo DR, leaving Cedric Mongongu able to seal it with their fourth penalty, and he slotted into the right corner to give his team a third-place finish.