fbpx

Congo DR President Rewards 2016 CHAN Champs With 4X4s

Congo DR President Rewards 2016 CHAN Champs With 4X4s

As a reward for their title winning run at the 2016 CHAN in Rwanda last weekend, the African Nations Championship winning Democratic Republic of Congo national team players have been gifted brand new Toyota Land Cruiser Prado vehicles by their head of state.

A fleet of the high-end sports utility cars were presented to the victorious Leopards by president Joseph Kabila in appreciation of their efforts at the 2016 CHAN, as they returned home champions of the continent for players based in Africa.

Congo DR recorded a decisive 3-0 victory over Mali in the final on Sunday, allowing the Congolese national team to be the firs team to claim their second CHAN title at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali, after a 2-0 win against Ghana in the inaugural tournament that took place in 2009.

Meshack Elia scored two goals from the Leopards, with Jonathan Bolingi completing the thrashing for Congo DR.

According to AFP, Kabila gave keys for the 4×4 vehicles to Congolese captain Joel Kimwaki and coach Florent Ibenge at a ceremony at the presidential palace in Kinshasa. Players were also given Sporting Merit medals by the president.

Speaking with great pride at the ceremony in the Congolese capital, TV5Monde quoted president Kabila as saying, “May this trophy serve to forge peace and stability in our country.”

The 2016 CHAN victory is a reflection of the strength of Congo DR’s local league, with the likes of TP Mazembe representing the country in club competition continentally, often doing well and winning titles such as the CAF Champions League, which is reserved for the best club teams on the continent.