AFCON Qualifiers: Desabre hails his players after vital win against Mauritania

Democratic Republic of Congo coach Sebastien Desabre has praised his players for listening to instructions that helped them to secure an important win over Mauritania on Friday.

The Congolese registered vital win in their group match of the 2023 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.

Desabre’s team stopped a 10-man Mauritania side 3-1 in a Group I match played at the TP Mazembe Stadium in Lubumbashi.

The visiting Mauritania pushed forward from the start of the match, but had Idrissa Thiam sent-off early after only 23 minutes.

Cheered on by the Congolese fans, The Leopards took the lead through French based forward Gael Kakuta after 37 minutes. After five minutes Cedric Bakambu who plies his trade with Olympiacos Piraeus in Greece made it 2-0 with a neat finish past Niass Babacar.

The Mauritanian team returned after recess with different ideas as they controlled play. Aly Abeid pulled a goal back for Mauritania after finishing off a well taken cross by midfielder Gussouma Fofana.

But the home side did not give up and responded with numerous attacks at goal before Arthur Masuaka scored after 67 minutes to make it 3-1.

“I am glad the players listened to the instructions and worked hard to get this win. It’s good to see a team score three goals although we still have work to do ahead of the return leg against the same team,” said DR Congo coach Desabre after the match

After losing two matches to Gabon and Sudan last year under coach Hector Cuper, it was DR Congo’s first win in the qualifiers under a new coach Desabre who took up the job last August.

The win sends DR Congo to third place with three points, while Gabon who beat Sudan on Thursday top the Group with seven points.