THE Democratic Republic of the Congo team were knocked out of the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) at the semi-final stage on Wednesday but achieved a much more important aim in the process.

Ahead of kick-off at their game against hosts Ivory Coast, DR Congo players made a powerful gesture during the playing of their national anthem.

As the anthems are played, the camera will pan across the line of players on the field, so they knew this would be a good, highly visible moment to get a message across.