The experience and longevity of Claude LeRoy could not be over emphasized. A winner with Cameroon in 1998, the match against Ghana was His 29th Nations Cup finals game in charge.
DR Congo made a bright start against the much fancied Ghanaians. Lomana Lua Lua came close to opening the scoring but His ferocious effort was brilliantly tipped against the woodwork by Fatau Dauda.
Ghanaian fans were left fuming with disappointment as the half went on. Skipper Asamoah Gyan his shot horribly wide having been played clean through a delightful pass from Derek Boateng.
And five minutes before halftime, we would have our first goal of the tournament, as Kwadwo Asamoah played a super one-two with Badu to break into the box, and pulling it back for Badu to guide home for his goal.
Ghana doubled the lead after the restart when Asamoah headed home unmarked from a corner kick at the far post.
DR Congo responded immediately. Mpute, who had been a thorn in the flesh of the Ghanaian defence, latched a ball into the area and finished excellently, using the outside of his right leg to guide it into the far corner.
A lackluster defending by Ghana offered DR Congo an ample opportunity to get back into the game as Jerry Akaminko dragged down Mbokani in the penalty area , and the decision was simple for the referee- a penalty.
Mbokani stepped up and slotted the penalty home into the corner sending the goalkeeper, the wrong way.
A stunned-looking Ghana regained some composure and attacked only to find DR Congo goalkeeper Robert Kidiaba in the form of his life, saving twice from Gyan.
The end-to-end match saw DR Congo having the last chance as a brilliant save from Dauda denied them all the three points.
A scintillating and breathtaking football from the two teams was all was needed and they sure provided after the barren two opening games of the competition.