Democratic Republic of Congo successfully sealed their place at the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations with a 4-1 win over Central African Republic at the Stade des Martyrs in Kinshasa on Sunday.
The quartet of Neeskens Kebano, Ndombe Mubele, Jonathan Bolingi and Jordan Botaka were all on target for the two-time AFCON champions, who booked their place at the Gabon showpiece as Group B winners.
For CAR, qualification for the continental tournament proved a step too far once again with the Wild Beasts having yet to qualify for an AFCON tournament in their history.
Last year’s AFCON bronze medal winners opened the scoring on 36 minutes through Kebano – the Fulham midfielder sending the 80 000 fans into absolute delirium.
Mubele doubled the hosts lead four minutes into the second stanza, latching onto a precise pass from Leopards skipper Youssouf Mulumbu.
CAR, though, were not prepared throw in the towel and pulled a goal back through Enza Yamissi in the 65th minute of the clash.
But, the hosts shifted gear to restore their lead 11 minutes later – TP Mazembe forward Bolingi with the third before Botaka rounded of proceedings in stoppage-time; sealing all three points for Florent Ibengé’s troops.
