The Democratic Republic of Congo claimed the 2016 African Nations Championship title with a 3-0 thumping of Mali in the final.
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Mali started the brighter of the two sides with Mamadou Coulibaly going close on a couple of occasions in the early stages.
It was end to end action in the first half with both sides looking unsafe especially in the first 15 minutes before 19-year-old Mechak Elia, who has been this tournament’s revelation, produced a moment of magic in the 39th minute with an unstoppable strike to the top corner of Keita’s net.
Mechak Elia scored a brace, while Jonathan Bolingi also got on the scoresheet for DR Congo.
“Although we would have wished to win the trophy, we are happy to finish third with young players”, Ivory Coast coach Michel Dussuyer said.
The champions, winners of the inaugural title in 2009, dominated the match and it was not a surprise when Elia put them ahead after 29 minutes.
Mali could have leveled matters after 34 minutes when Aboulaye Diarra with a one on one situation failed to beat the DRC goalkeeper.
Mali s best chance came in the 58th minute when substitute Kouame N Guessan tried a long range shot which flew over the bar.
Back in 2009, in the tournament’s maiden edition in Ivory Coast, the Leopards mounted the podium proudly after a 2-0 win over Ghana in the final.
Just before the half-hour mark, midfielder Meschack steered home angled shot to give The Leopards a deserved lead.
Ivorian keeper Abdoul Cisse played a key part in the Elephants’ win, saving two penalties.
Cisse then saved a second penalty to deny Alseny Camara in the second half.
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The Ivorians doubled their lead three minutes later through Badie Gbagnon.
