It was sweet revenge for DR Congo as they pummeled the Black Stars by 2 goals to nil to lift the trophy of the inaugural CHAN tournament, their first major trophy in 29 years, and they did it in style. DR Congo went into the finals as under-dogs having lost to the Stars by 3-0 in the final group B match and they proved equal to the task. A devastating second half performance saw the Stars buckle to pressure conceding two goals from Bedi and Kaluyituka all attributable to poor defending and lousy goal keeping. The Congolese made their intentions clear as early as the opening minute, with McCarthy picking the ball off the foot of Mputu to deny the Congolese their first goal. The Congolese took the game to the Stars with some sweet fluidity and sublime play with Mputu always proving a tough customer for the Stars defense. His blistering goal-bound-volley in the 12th minute was kept out by McCarthy who pulled off a superb save. The Congolese were always a delight to watch combining skill and pace, but could not make the dominance count by way of goals, at least in the first half. The Stars attack was curtailed for most part of the first half, but did not stop Yaw Antwi from heading in what appeared to be a legitimate goal but was ruled out for off-side. The Stars had the opportunity to put their noses in front but fluid counter attack engineered by Charles Taylor, saw Edmund Owusu Ansah’s header stroll just wide from the goal post. Yaw Antwi on the 38th minute beat his marker and unleashed a blistering shot at an acute angle but was well dealt with by Kadiaba in post for DR Congo. The Stars from recess lost their composure and were punished in the opening minute after Kaluyituka Dioko’s powerful header from a Lofo cross took an awkward bounce in front of McCarthy for the first goal. The Stars from then on lifted up their game pounding the goal area of the Congolese but the defense nipped all the attack in the bud. It was end-to-end stuff, with electrifying pace as both side sought to make it count but flashes of brilliance from the two goal keepers kept the score line at bay. The Congolese put the game beyond the reach of the Stars after Mbenza Bedi controlled an immaculate cross from the left and fired low to the right corner to beat McCarthy. The Congolese then reduced the game to a Sunday afternoon stroll on the park with flashy skills and deft touches as the Stars chased their shadows, a phenomenon which forced an unorthodox appearance on the field by a fan attempting to decorate Mputu with a Ghana Flag. 2-0 it all ended and a well deserved victory it was for DR Congo. Story by Nathan Gadugah