DR Congo's AFCON Championships: When the Leopards Won the Title in 1968 and 1974

• The Leopards have won two Africa Cup of Nations titles in their history
• They first won the championship in 1968 when they beat Ghana in the final
• They won their second title in 1974 when they beat Zambia in the final

DR Congo moved ever closer to winning their third Africa Cup of Nations title after they defeated Guinea 3-1 in the quarter-finals on Friday.

Chancel Mbemba, Yoane Wissa, and Arthur Masuaku scored the goals for the Leopards, who reached the AFCON semis for the first time since 2015.

Sports Brief looks at the Leopards' previous titles in this tournament as they look to add another trophy here in Ivory Coast.

DR Congo's AFCON titles

Leopards win first title in 1968

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The Leopards made history in 1968, winning their first-ever Africa Cup of Nations title in Ethiopia.

Congo-Kinshasa started their campaign by finishing second in Group B with four points. They recorded wins over Congo-Brazzaville and Senegal to qualify for the knockout round.

They faced hosts Ethiopia in the semi-finals and their matchup became an instant classic.

Kidumu Mantantu gave Congo-Kinshasa a dream start with a goal in the third minute. Leon Mungamuni doubled their lead with a strike in the 16th minute.

Ethiopia fought back, though, with Luciano Vassalo and Mengistu Worku scoring the goals that forced extra time.

Mungamuni sent Congo-Kinshasa fans into a frenzy, scoring the match-winner in the 100th minute to bring his team into the final.

That set up a mouth-watering final against Ghana, the team that beat them earlier in the group stage. The Leopards gained some revenge, beating Ghana 1-0 in the final.

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Kalala was the hero for Congo-Kinshasa, scoring the game's lone goal in the 66th minute.

Leopards win second title in 1974

DR Congo participated in the 1974 Africa Cup of Nations as the country of Zaire, per the BBC.

They qualified for the knockout stage after finishing second in Group B with four points.

The Leopards faced Egypt in the semi-finals, and their showdown resulted in a high-scoring thriller.

Egypt built a 2-0 lead after an own goal by Mwepu and a goal by Abo Greisha in the 54th minute.

There was no quit with Zaire, however, as they launched a stirring fightback in the second half.

Mulamba scored a brace and Mantantu added another goal to lead Zaire to a 3-2 victory.

Zaire's clash with Zambia in the final was an even tighter affair.

The championship showdown needed a replay after their first meeting ended in a 2-2 draw.

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Zaire looked like they were on their way to the title after grabbing a 2-1 lead in the 117th minute. Zambia forced the replay, however, with an equaliser by Sinyangwe in the 120th minute.

Zaire made sure the championship was theirs in the second meeting, cruising to a 2-0 win thanks to a brace by Mulamba.

He won the Golden Boot award in that competition with nine goals. He also captured the Best Player award.

DR Congo's road to AFCON 2023 final

Sports Brief recently reported on DR Congo's road to the 2023 AFCON final.

They will next face either Mali or Ivory Coast in the semis.

The Elephants and the Eagles will square off later today.