The DR Congo beat Ghana 2-0 to win the inaugural African Nations Championship in Abidjan on Sunday.

The final - a repeat of last Sunday's group B encounter - was settled by second half goals from Dioko Kaluyituka and Bedi Mbenza.

On a pitch made slippery by pre-match rain, Kaluyituka gave the Congolese the lead after 46 minutes when his speculative header slipped past Ghana goalkeeper Philemon Maccarthy.

Mbenza got the second goal 15 minutes from time when he controlled a cross from the left on his chest and gave Maccarthy no chance with a right-foot shot from inside the box.

It was the first triumph for the Congolese in a continental competition since they defeated Zambia 2-0 in a replay of the 1974 Nations Cup final in Cairo.

Pre-tournament favourites Ghana entered the final as the team to beat having outclassed the DR Congo 3-0 eight days ago in the mini-league phase.