DR Congo beat Togo 3-1 to top Group C as holders Ivory Coast crash out of the Africa Cup of Nations

Another fine all-round performance from DR Congo saw them dispatch Togo with few alarms or surprises, to finish top of Group C in the Africa Cup of Nations. They will now face Ghana, Mali - or, most likely, Egypt - in the quarter-finals.

Needing a win to have even a chance of qualification, Togo began the game with Emmanuel Adebayor racing around all over the pitch in a bid to make something happen. But he was not given anywhere near enough support, and around the midpoint of the first half Congo took control, then took the lead on 29 minutes when Junior Kabananga shrugged off Serge Gakpe to finish with elan.

The pattern of play did not change after the break, and Firmin Mubele soon put Congo further ahead, deftly lifting a lob over Cedric Mensah. Congo relaxed after that, allowing Togo back into the game when Kodjo Laba scored with his first touch, and seconds later, they were nearly level, Adebayor hitting a shot straight at the keeper when he had time and space to do better.

But that simply galvanised Congo, who quickly reasserted themselves to put matters beyond doubt on 80 minutes, when Paul-Jose Mpoko smacked home a free-kick from the edge of the box. It was no more than his team deserved on the balance of play, and though they lack the stars of their rivals for the trophy, they are playing with more confidence and cohesion than any of them.

What were Togo playing at? Needing a win to have any chance of qualifying, one might have expected Togo to put men in the box - but they did not. Instead, they seemed simply to hope Adebayor could come up with something... but he was given precious little support until it was too late. Even when trailing at half-time, Claude Le Roi did not see fit to make any changes, and when he did, once it was 2-0, Laba scored with his first touch. Chances are Congo would've been too good whatever he did, but his team did not do everything possible to find out.

Junior Kabananga (DR Congo) Mubele and Chancel Mbemba both played well, but it was Kabananga who manufactured the crucial first goal and whose movement, pace and strength were too much for Togo to handle.

Togo: Tchagouni 6, Gakpe 5, Akakpo 6, Ouro-Akoriko 6, Djene 5, Bebou 5, Atakora 6, Ayite 6, Dossevi 5, Boukari 6, Adebayor 6. Subs: Mensah 6, Laba 7, Romao 6.

DR Congo: Matampi 6, Issama 7, Bope 6, Tisserand 6, Lomalisa 6, Mulumbu 6, Mubele 8, Kebano 7, Mbemba 7, Bolingi 5, Kabananga 8. Subs: Mpoko 7, Botaka 6, Bokila 6.

29’ - GOAL! Togo 0-1 DRC (Kabananga) Bebou gives it away in midfield and Mbemba sends a through-pass seeking Kabananga - but really, Gakpe should see him away. Instead, though, he's easily brushed aside, and the player of the tournament so far injects a little explosion to swivel and slot home easily, low into the far corner, before leading a brilliant formation dance.

43’ - Gakpe gives it away and Mubele does well to beat Akakpo wide on the left, winning a corner which he takes himself; he picks out Bebou at the near post, who slices it behind for another go. And this one is much better, finding Kabananga at the near post - inexplicably, he's unmarked - and he instinctively prods a looping header which crashes against the far post.

54’ - GOAL! Togo 0-2 DR Congo (Mubele) Lovely goal! Lovely goal! Mensah clears and one touch from Tisserand puts Mubele through! That's miserable defending, so much so that he has time to consult the linesman before flicking a delicious lob across and over the keeper. DRC are going to win the group, and in the meantime, enjoy another, different jig.

69’ - GOAL! Togo 1-2 DR Congo (Laba) Well well well! Djene crosses from the left and the ball somehow lands art the feet of Adebayor, and with men now in the box, lays right for Boukari. He then squares for Laba who, with his first touch, calmly passes low into the net at the near post, wrongfooting the keeper! Game on!

70’ - Oh my! A collision outside the box spirits the ball into Adebayor's path, and he does very well to sidestep away from Tisserand, opening up a shooting lane, but then panels straight at Matampi. Huge oversight, that.

80’ - GOAL! Togo 1-3 DR Congo (Mpoko) Two clever turns by Kbananga force a foul just outside the box, left edge of the D, and up steps Mpoko to spank a sidefooter against the underside of the bar and in! The spin sees it bouncing back out again, but it was plenty over the line and receives the celebration it deserves.

90+2’ - It just won't go in for Adebayor! A long hump finds Ayite, just outside the box and dead centre, so he slides right, and his captain does well to allow the bobble before lashing a low shot across Matampi - it beats him, but Lomalisa catches up with it and flays clear.

DR Congo have not reached the knockout stages since 2006, five tournaments ago; they have not lifted the trophy since 1974. This time, they have a very good chance indeed.