DR Congo got off to a winning start with a narrow 1-0 win over a gutsy Mauritania side in the Group D match of the 3rd Orange African Nations Championship played at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Tuesday 14th January afternoon.

A 51st penalty strike from Eddy Emomo was all that separated the two sides and give 2009 CHAN winners the win. Emomo sent Mauritania goalkeeper Brahim Souleymane the wrong way from the spot after Wade Mamadou had fouled on striker Fermin Mubele who was going for a cross played into the box.

Right from the first whistle the match was quite competitive and while DR Congo just edged possession and perhaps fired more shorts on target, debutants Mauritania put on an impressive display and could have been on the score sheet too. Their best chance fell to striker Ely Cheikh in the 40th minute. He round off Robert Kidiaba in goal for DR Congo and sent side footed into goal only to be denied by a clearance off the line by defender Joel Kimwaki.

DR Congo had earlier been denied a similar chance at the other end after a goal bound shot from Lusadisa was blocked during a period the Congolese dominated. Mauritania for their part took the game to their more experienced opponents and plied the left flank successfully with Moulaye Ahmed Khalil a constant threat with his pace.

Mauritania captain Moussa Sidi Bagayako left the referee little choice with a dangerous tackle on Eric Nkulukuta with less than twenty minutes to go. The captain earned his second yellow and marched off forcing Mauritania who were at this stage searching for an equalizer have to reorganize.

Reorganise they did and almost snatched the vital goal from a delightful free-kick from right that came off the cross bar with Kidiaba beaten and when the rebound fell to El Hacen El Id he shot back on goal but Kidiaba had recovered in time to make a save. Mauritania would continue their brand of attacking football and DR Congo too went offensive leaving an open entertaining game with goal scoring opportunities right to the final whistle.