By Mark Dummett BBC Sport Online in Kinshasa

Two quick early goals ensured DR Congo swept aside the visiting Botswanan team with a mininmum of fuss in Kinshasa.

But the game was marred by the sending off in the second half of goal scorer Tresor Lua Lua for dissent.

The England-based player, in midfield for the match, had put the home team ahead inside five minutes with some typically crisp finishing.

Striker Merlain Mpiana then took advantage of some chaotic defending to head past the keeper on the 21st minute.

The Simbas threatened to overwhelm the Zebras, with Lua Lua, captain Shabani Nonda and German-born Michel Dinzey impressing the 100,000 capacity crowd in Kinshasa's Stade de Martyrs with the speed and skill of their passing.

The Botswanan cross bar was rattled twice, once from a ferocious Shabani Nonda freekick.

But the momentum fizzled out half way through the second period after Lua Lua was sent off for two yellow cards.

He received the first for kicking the ball away after being penalised for handball, and moments later he was shown the second, and the red, for talking back to the referee.