Étoile du Congo and Petro Atlético Triumph at the Championship
The 42nd edition of the African Men’s and Women’s Club Championship for Cup Winners unfolded from July 9 to July 14 in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, featuring a total of 12 teams split evenly between the men’s and women’s competitions, representing five different countries. This year marked a significant milestone in the tournament's history as Étoile du Congo claimed the men’s title, making them the first team from Congo to achieve this honor. Despite an early loss in the preliminary rounds, their resilience shone through, while Petro Atlético, a powerhouse from Angola, continued to dominate the women’s competition, capturing their 12th title.
In both divisions, teams were organized into two groups of three, with the top two from each group moving on to the semi-finals. The men’s tournament saw Moroccan team Montada emerge victorious from Group A, demonstrating their prowess with decisive wins over AS Police from DR Congo and Étoile du Congo. Despite finishing second in their group, Étoile du Congo advanced impressively, highlighted by a standout performance from Justin Mbani Mpika, who netted 12 goals against AS Police.
Thrilling Semi-Finals and Championship Showdown
The semi-finals delivered unexpected drama, particularly for the favorites, Montada, who found themselves trailing at half-time against FAP Yaounde. A remarkable effort from Brahim Hafiz, who scored eight goals, helped Montada level the score late in the game, but FAP snatched a narrow victory with a final score of 25:24, courtesy of a last-minute goal from Jean Marie Mbida. In the other semi-final, Étoile du Congo pulled off a similar feat against Jeunesse Sportive de Kinshasa, also winning 25:24, setting up a thrilling final clash with FAP.
The championship match was a tightly contested affair, with Étoile du Congo edging out FAP 19:16 after leading at halftime. David Bikim Bi Ndjee, Vang-Sy Taty Costodes, and Justin Mbani Mpika were instrumental in their victory, each contributing significantly to the scoreboard. This triumph marked a historic moment for Étoile du Congo, which previously secured a third-place finish in 1998.
Meanwhile, in the women’s competition, Petro Atlético showcased their dominance throughout the tournament, concluding the group stages with commanding wins, including a staggering 49:10 victory over HBC Kali. The semi-finals witnessed Petro Atlético continue their winning streak with a 35:16 defeat of FAP Yaounde, while AS Otoho advanced to the final for the first time in history after overcoming Heritage.
The final saw Petro Atlético initially take a commanding lead, although Otoho fought back to reduce the deficit. Despite the close contest, Petro Atlético ultimately emerged victorious with a 32:27 scoreline, securing their second consecutive title. Heritage claimed the bronze medal with a narrow 25:24 victory against FAP, while Christianne Mwasesa Mwange of Heritage ended as the top scorer of the women’s competition with a remarkable 34 goals.
As reported by ihf.info.
