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DR Congo men make history in Giza

21 Jan. 2021

DR Congo men make history in Giza

Francis Tuzolana’s DR Congo side added to the handball history of their nation as they won their first-ever IHF Men’s World Championship match, beating Angola 32:31, but it was tinged with what appeared to be a serious injury to their inspirational captain, Aurelien Tchitombi.

Egypt 2021 is the first-ever time a men’s national team from the central African country has appeared at any world championship and they got revenge for losing to the west African side at their continental championship last year.

PRESIDENT'S CUP GROUP I
Angola vs DR Congo 31:32 (15:13)

In the Egypt 2021 preliminary round, DR Congo, known as ‘Les Léopards’, had been close to gaining a point, or two, with some impressive first half performances, leading Argentina 14:13 at the break and running Bahrain close in the first half, 12:14.

But against Angola this evening Tuzolana’s side got off to a terrible start with three early DR Congo turnovers in as many minutes allowing their opponents to speed to a 5:1 lead by the sixth minute.

The aggressive, open defence from Angola was causing countless technical errors from Tuzolana’s men and so a time out was called in the 15th minute to reset. The coach made impassioned pleas to his troops, asking them to simply play and be themselves and to find the gaps in behind the Angolan defence.

A five-goal lead separated the teams right up to the 22nd minute (13:8), but, gradually, DR Congo came back, outscoring their opponents 5:2 to go into the break just two behind (13:15).

“We told ourselves this time we really have to play good for 60 minutes,” said goalkeeper Junior Lucau Herdeiro to ihf.info. “We said: no matter how the result stands in the first half, the game is 60 minutes and when the time is over, we will be the winners.”

And so it proved with a rollercoaster second half.

The ‘Shaquille O’Neal of Handball’, Gauthier Mvumbi, showed great technique to receive the ball on the line, pivot and smash home all in one smooth movement (15:16) and Congolese captain Tchitombi finally bought the scores level (16:16) for the first time, flying through a disorganised Angolan defence and causing a mid-air foul from Adilson Maneco, who received a direct red card (34th minute).

For the next 10 minutes the teams cold not be separated but, eventually, DR Congo went in front for the first time on a fast-break, as Zephryrin Genese showed presence of mind on the line to give Steeven Olivier an easy goal (24:23).

This was DR Congo’s eighth fast-break strike and Angola immediately called a time out (46th minute), but the fast-breaks kept coming and Tchitombi put his side three clear (26:23) a minute later. It looked like DR Congo would finally get a win, but disaster struck them in the 50th minute when Tchitombi slipped when starting an attack and received lengthy treatment on court before being stretchered off and going to hospital.

Tuzolana called his second time out (52nd minute) as Angola came back level, and the two teams started to trade blows. A missed penalty from Angola and a Jaroslav Aguiar two-minute suspension (29:29) with less than five minutes remaining, then gave spirit to the Congolese.

They played a high defensive line with Johan Kawola defending almost on the halfway line, and his over-enthusiasm saw him pick up the same punishment for himself with Angola almost immediately going ahead (30:29). The turning point came eventually for DR Congo when Otiniel Pascoal missed a penalty conceded by Audray Tuzolana, brother of the coach, for a mid-air grapple.

As Angola started their last attack with just over 30 seconds remaining. They were being watched closely by Olivier in defence, and with the Angolan attack sluggish, he timed his steal perfectly, capitalising on a lack of concentration, to run down the other end and sink home DR Congo’s 12th counter-attack of the game.

“It was not the first time they were doing this combination, so I was really prepared and waiting for it,” said Olivier to ihf.info about his winning goal. “I was ready to catch the ball and I was sure I could get it. I was ready, caught it and did the fast break.”

But there was still more defending to do before history could be made and after Fredric Beauregard was shown a two-minute with eight seconds remaining, Angola sensed a draw but goalkeeper Jordy Koaly had other ideas, blocking the breakthrough with an outstretched leg to cue wonderful celebrations – and a dance – from Tuzolana’s men.

“Today we eliminated all the mistakes last time out against Bahrain,” said Tuzolana. “Our preparation was very simple, we watched the Angola videos and prepared very well, but we were very motivated to win because we were very disappointed after the Bahrain match.”

And the players were quick to single out one individual after the match – captain Tchitombi.

“He got injured fighting for this team and fighting for this victory, so we won for him tonight and we are dedicating this victory to him,” said 43-year-old DR Congo goalkeeper Berlin Tietchop to ihf.info after the game. 

“I thought maybe it would affect us when he got injured but it did the opposite and we won for him tonight. We just heard the injury was quite severe so we just want to be next to him and help him recover.”

hummel Player of the Match: Edvaldo Ferreira, Angola

Photo: Egypt 2021