DR Congo open Cup of Nations qualifiers with home success

CAPE TOWN, Sept 24 - The Democratic Republic of Congo followed up their World Cup exploits with a 2-0 home win over Equatorial Guinea on the opening day of the group qualifiers for next year's Africa Cup of Nations.

Captain Chancel Mbemba headed home the opening goal in the fourth minute, and Yoane Wissa added a second 18 minutes from time in Kinshasa on Thursday, although the scoreline might have been more emphatic after they twice struck the woodwork and also had two efforts ruled offside.

It was the first game for the Congolese after advancing through the first phase of the World Cup for the first time and running England close in their last-32 tie in Atlanta in July.