Jet-set Lualua seals Congolese triumph

Congolese forward Tresor Lualua (front) runs past Egyptian midfielder Hassan Mostapha during their African Nations Cup match in 2006. Lualua dashed to the Democratic Republic of Congo from England and scored the goal that clinched a 2-0 win over Ethiopia in an ANC qualifier at the weekend.

Portsmouth striker Tresor Lualua dashed to the Democratic Republic of Congo from England and scored the goal that clinched a 2-0 win over Ethiopia in an African Nations Cup qualifier at the weekend.

Victory kept the Congolese Leopards on course for a ninth consecutive appearance at the biennial showcase of African football to be hosted by Ghana next year.

Mputu Mbungu gave DR Congo a 25th-minute lead and Lualua shook off the effects of an overnight flight to convert a penalty 12 minutes into the second half.

Victory in the Group 10 qualifier at the 80,000-seat Martyrs Stadium in the Congolese capital lifted two-time African champions DR Congo to seven points, three more than Libya with Namibia and Ethiopia a further point behind.

Only the 12 group winners are guaranteed places at the tournament in west Africa during January and February with the best three runners-up from the 10 four-team pools also securing spots.

Success was particularly sweet for Belgium-born DR Congo coach Henri Depireux as the fixture, postponed last month because of unrest in Kinshasa, was rescheduled for a weekend not on the international calendar.

This left the Congolese at the mercy of foreign clubs not obliged to free players and Lualua was among a handful who made it to the vast central Africa country for the match.

He came on as a substitute when Portsmouth upset Liverpool in the English Premiership last Saturday, then raced from the southern coast town to London for an overnight flight to the heart of Africa.

Ethiopia, not hard hit by the match date as none of their leading players are based in Europe, were under pressure from the kickoff and a defensive blunder gifted Mbungu his goal.

And when Mputu Mabi, leading scorer in the 2007 African Champions League club competition with nine goals, was fouled inside the penalty area Lualua made no mistake from the spot kick.

Ethiopia, absent from the Nations Cup since 1982, will have a chance to avenge the loss when the countries meet again on June 3 in the stamina-sapping high altitude of Addis Ababa.

Namibia host Libya in Windhoek the same weekend and if both matches produce home wins only one point will separate the first three teams with two rounds of qualifiers remaining.