Super-sub Nassir hands Ethiopia late DR Congo win

Ethiopia claimed a 2-1 victory over DR Congo in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualification Group H match at the Stade des Martyrs de la Pentecôte in Kinshasa, Congo, on Tuesday evening.

The hard-fought victory saw Walia Ibex end a disappointing qualifying campaign with a victory over the group winners and they finished fourth in the standings, having registered one win, one draw, and four defeats.

The Leopards, on the other hand, ended a successful Group H campaign with a defeat after conceding in stoppage time, but their four victories in six matches were enough to earn them the group's top spot.

The Leopards' attack which was spearheaded by experienced strikers Fiston Mayele and Silas Katompa Mvumpa struggled to trouble the Walia Ibex's defence in the opening 15 minutes of the encounter.

Congo upped the tempo after the half-hour mark, but they conceded against the run of play in the 36th minute as Bereket Woldie's through pass found Bereket Desta who scored to hand the visitors the lead, and Ethiopia were 1-0 up at halftime.

Samuel Essende, William Balikwisha and Gédéon Kalulu were all introduced by coach Sebastien Desabre prior to the start of the second half. 

Dylan Batubinsika scored what looked like a late equalising goal in stoppage time to make it 1-1.

However, Mohammed-Nur Nassir had other ideas as the inspired substitute scored in the dying minutes of the stoppage time to seal Ethiopia's 2-1 victory over Congo with Amanuel Yohannes providing the assist.

Ethiopia’s first three point, secured by Mohammad Nur Nasir’s last-minute strike. #TeamEthiopia 🇪🇹 pic.twitter.com/86CijOQC8j

— Tikvah Sport Images 📸🇪🇹 (@KYoftahe) November 19, 2024

Congo: (0) 1 (Batubinsika 90'+3)

Ethiopia: (1) 2 (Desta 36', Nassir 90'+6)

DR Congo: Mpasi, Inonga, Batubinsika, J.Kayembe, Kioso (Kalulu 46'), Sadiki (Balikwisha 46'), E.Kayembe (Kabwit Tshikomb 70'), Silas (Elia 84'), Mbuku (Essende 46'), Mayele.

Ethiopia: Habtamu, James, Bayeh, Terfa, Bekele, Woldie, Yohannes, Kassaye (Tunjo 81'), Worku (Nassir 75), Desta, Tefera (Gugsa 56').