Democratic Republic of Congo made a blazing start to the 2016 African Nations championships when they shocked Ethiopia 3-0 in their Group B opener at Butare’s Huye stadium on Sunday.

Midfielder Heritier Luvumbu was the hero, scoring one and creating two goals to give the 2009 champions an impressive start.

Luvumbu tormented Ethiopia and could have opened the scoring on the hour mark when he forced goalkeeper Abel Mamo to save a left-footed effort with his legs.

Guy Lusadisu broke the deadlock a minute before the break when he converted Luvumbu’s low cross from close range.

Luvumbu still had time to double Congo’s advantage before the interval while Meshack Elia ended any Ethiopian resistence on 57 minutes.

In the second Group B match, 10-man Cameroon defeated Angola 1-0 thanks to Atouba Emane’s 22nd minute free-kick, despite having Alberto Nguem sent off.

Ghana will face off with Tunisia while Niger play Nigeria in the opening Group C matches in Kigali on Monday.