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Emotional Le Roy hails Congo achievement

By AFP
Congo Congo's coach Claude Le Roy attends the 2015 African Cup of Nations group A football match between Congo and Burkina Faso in Ebebiyin on January 25, 2015.  By Khaled Desouki AFP
JAN 25, 2015 LISTEN
Congo's coach Claude Le Roy attends the 2015 African Cup of Nations group A football match between Congo and Burkina Faso in Ebebiyin on January 25, 2015. By Khaled Desouki (AFP)

Ebebiyin (Equatorial Guinea) (AFP) - Veteran French coach Claude Le Roy struggled to contain his emotion on Sunday after his Congo Brazzaville side qualified for the last eight of the Africa Cup of Nations.

"It's incredible. I feel a lot of emotion and incredible happiness. These guys are incredible," Le Roy told Canal Plus television after Congo beat Burkina Faso 2-1 in Ebebiyin to progress to the quarter-finals as winners of Group A.

Fabrice Ondama snatched a late winner to make sure of the win and first place after Thievy Bifouma's opener for Congo had been cancelled out by Aristide Bance.

"We conceded a goal that shouldn't have stood because there was a foul on (Congo defender) Bissiki at the start of the move, but although a 1-1 draw would have been enough, we hit back right away," added Le Roy, whose team pipped hosts Equatorial Guinea to top spot in the group.

"We said to ourselves that we wanted to finish first, and that we would try to win the game."

Congo had not won a game at the finals since 1974, and have now reached the quarter-finals for the first time since 1992, having previously stunned Cup of Nations holders Nigeria in qualifying.

"We have come from nowhere. We knocked out Nigeria, the reigning champions, and now we have beaten Burkina Faso, who were runners-up last time.

"Anything that happens from now on is a bonus."

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