DR Congo head coach Frolent Ibenge has praised the character of his players after they booked an early place in the last eight of the 2016 Africa Nations Championships after thrashing Angola 4-2 in their Group B clash on Thursday in Huye. 

Goals from Nelson Munganga, Mechak Elia and Jonathan Bolingi gave the Leopards a 3-0 lead before the break, punishing the Angolans for their sloppy defending.

However, Jacinto Dala ‘Gelson’ gave Angola a lifeline by reducing the deficit in the 76th minute, finishing off a through pass from Adriano Duarte ‘Yano’.

TP Mazembe midfielder Bope restored his side’s three-goal lead with a looping header past Landu eight minutes from time before Yano grabbed Angola’s second minutes later.

Ibenge explained that his team has played with purpose and focus in both wins against Ethiopia and Angola, saying he hopes they will continue with the momentum in their next stage.

"As a coach, your happiest moment is when your players follow instructions and deliver as expected in a top competition like the CHAN where you don’t have time to lose many opportunities,” Ibenge said.

He noted that, "It is a special moment for DR Congo because since 1974, it is the first time we have qualified for the quarter-finals after only the second game in any competition.”

Meanwhile, team captain Joel Kimwaki has argued his teammates to continue with the same spirit and to do their very best as they seek for their second title after claiming the 2009 maiden edition title in Côte d'Ivoire.

"We have no time for celebrations since the stage we are going to is very tough and any team that qualifies will be able to win the competition,” he noted.

DR Congo tops Group B with six points, two points ahead of second-placed Cameroon after their 1-1 draw 1-1 with Ethiopia. 

The winner of Group B will face the second team from Group A, which is likely to be either Rwanda, Côte d'Ivoire, Morocco or Gabon depending on the outcome of the final group games on Sunday.

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