The Democratic Republic of Congo were too strong for Ethiopia ©Getty Images

Inaugural winners Democratic Republic of Congo eased past Ethiopia 3-0 to open their African Nations Championships campaign in Rwanda today.

Guy Lusadisu opened the scoring after 30 minutes when he thumped home a header following Nelson Munganga's cross, which gave Ethiopian keeper Abel Mamo no chance.

A second arrived shortly after the break when Heritier Luvambu also found the net via a header, and the Leopards made it three when Meschack Elia registered at Stade Huye in Butare.

It means that DR Congo, who won the first-ever tournament in the Ivory Coast in 2009, are looking well placed already to qualify from Group B and reach the quarter-finals.

In the other game in the group, Cameroon registered a 1-0 success over Angola at the same venue.

Guy Lusadisu, right, opened the scoring for the Congolese
Guy Lusadisu, right, opened the scoring for the Congolese ©Getty Images

Group A has already begun in Rwanda with the hosts beating Ivory Coast 1-0 thanks to a Emery Bayisenge strike in capital Kigali.

Elsewhere in the group, Gabon and Morocco drew 0-0.

The African Nations Championship differs from football's more elite Africa Cup of Nations, as only players who represent clubs on the continent are allowed to take part in the biennial event.

Group C gets underway tomorrow with Tunisia playing Guinea and Nigeria meeting Niger.

Two teams from each of the four groups will make it to the last eight.

Defending champions Libya are not present in Rwanda after failing to come through the qualification tournament.