CHAN 2016: Saturday's Quarter-Final Scores, Bracket Results and Updated Schedule
DR Congo became the first team to qualify for the semi-finals of CHAN 2016, beating hosts Rwanda 2-1 after extra time in Saturday's first quarter-final.
The Leopards dominated the first half and rediscovered their best form in extra time, finding a winner in the second half.
Ivory Coast also needed extra time to get past Cameroon, exploding for three quick goals to win 3-0. Here's a look at the bracket and the schedule for Sunday's remaining quarter-finals:
| 1 p.m. / 8 a.m. | Tunisia | vs. | Mali |
| 4 p.m. / 11 a.m. | Zambia | vs. | Guinea |
Recap
Hosts Rwanda entered the contest backed by thousands of vocal fans but knew they would be in for a challenge against DR Congo, who looked excellent during the group stages and came into the quarter-finals as one of the favourites for the title.
The Leopards showed their ambition early against Rwanda and deservedly took the lead after 11 minutes, as Doxa Gikanji opened the scoring with a powerful shot from distance that shocked the crowd.
DR Congo kept the pressure high during the first half in search of a second goal, but Rwanda stood firm and were able to maintain the one-goal deficit until half-time. And in the second half, the hosts put together a far better showing, leading to the eventual equaliser from Jean-Claude Iranzi.
As shared by football writer Collins Okinyo, the fans went wild:
With the final whistle looming, both teams threw caution to the wind and pushed for a late winner, but it never materialised. Okinyo didn't seem to mind the game going to extra time:
DR Congo seized the initiative in extra time and showed exactly why they're considered among the favourites for the title, but once again, Rwanda's defence made life hard on the Leopards. It wasn't until halfway through the second half when Padou Bompunga headed his team back in front, taking advantage of a huge mistake in the centre of the defence.
Rwanda threw all of their players forward in a desperate search for another equaliser, but there was too little time left on the clock, and DR Congo held on for the win and a spot in the semi-finals.
Per Okinyo, the Rwandese fans fell silent, and their Congolese counterparts took over:
Unfortunately, man of the match Heritier Luvumbu picked up an injury and was visibly distressed taking his award, and his availability for the next match is in doubt, per football writer Robert Madoi.
The Leopards are arguably the most talented side left in the tournament and are perfectly capable of playing beautiful, free-flowing football, but lapses of concentration have cost them in the past.
In Saturday's other match, Ivory Coast and Cameroon served up a drab and closed first 90 minutes, but the former exploded in extra time. Boua, Atcho and Serge Yao Nguessan all got their name on the scoresheet, with the latter's goal a strong contender for the Goal of the Tournament award.
The captain saw Cameroon's goalkeeper off his line and took aim from the midfield line, lofting the ball into the net. As football writer Lotfi Wada put it:
Ivory Coast face the daunting task of facing the winner of the match between Tunisia and Mali in the semi-finals, and the Elephants looked far from their best on Saturday. But the team's defence looks solid as ever, and if they can keep making the most of their chances, the Ivorians may well end up bagging the title.
