KIGALI, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are the 2016 Africa Nations Championship winners after they beat Mali 3-0.
Coach Florent Ibenge' s team humbled Mali in the final played at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali on Sunday.
After 28 minutes, Mechak Elia gave DRC the lead on the wet ground as it was raining with a long shot that beat the Mali goalkeeper Djigui Diarra.
Mali could have leveled matters after 34 minutes when Aboulaye Diarra with a one on one situation failed to beat the DRC goalkeeper.
After taking a 1-0 lead at half time, Mali came back more determined to push forward in the second half.
After 60 minutes, Mali' s Lassana Samake had his well taken shot saved by DRC goalkeeper Ley Matampi.
The DRC team that also won the trophy in 2009 kept pushing forward and Elia picked his second of the day after 62 minutes.
The industrious midfielder made no mistake finishing off a Yannick Bangala cross.
Mali tried to make changes but still failed to contain the determined DRC team.
Jonathan Bolingi Mpangi, one of the best players of the tournament got his name on the score sheet after 73 minutes with a well taken low shot.
Mali later had substitute Abdoulaye Diarra and Hamidou Sinayoko miss scoring chances.
It was all celebrations after the final whistle when the over 15,000 DRC fans chanted and danced.
"This is a very sweet win because we have worked hard in this tournament and only lost one game in the group stage," said DRC coach Ibenge after the match.