The Leopards and their cars

Taiwo Adelu

President Joseph Kabila of DR Congo has splashed car gifts on the victorious Leopards stars after their return from the Rwanda 2016 Africa Nations Championship (CHAN).

BBC Africa reports on its Facebook handle Tuesday night that a few days after winning the CHAN, Kabila of Congo Tuesday decorated the Leopards football team with gold medals. He also gave each player a Toyota Jeep worth $60,000 USD.

The Democratic Republic Of Congo won the African Nations Championship (CHAN) for a second time on Sunday, beating Mali 3-0 in the final in Rwanda.

The Leopards, coached by Florent Ibenge, secured the title with two goals from the impressive Meschak Elia and a late Jonathan Bolingi strike.

DR Congo became the first nation to win the trophy twice, having won the inaugural CHAN tournament – which is only open to footballers who play in their own local leagues – in 2009 in Ivory Coast.

Ibenge also guided the senior DR Congo side to third place at last year’s Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea.