Group A Results
*Egypt 1-0 Zimbabwe
*DR Congo 0-2 Uganda
Fixture – Wednesday, June 26
*Uganda Vs Zimbabwe – 8PM
*Egypt Vs DR Congo – 11PM
Uganda Cranes got their Africa Cup of Nations campaign to a dream start with a shock 2-0 victory against a much fancied DR Congo team at Cairo International Stadium, Egypt.
Uganda punished their neighbours from set pieces, all engineered by Farouk Miya – KCCA’s striker Patrick Henry Kaddu headed in Miya’s corner in the 15th minute before Emanuel Okwi doubled the advantage at the start of second half from Miya’s freekick.
The Cranes were disciplined at the back and looked the better side going forward with Miya and Kaddu both missing chances.
Miya was also denied a penalty inside the first half when he beat the keeper before tripped to go down inside the forbidden area .
DR Congo failed to live to the occasion with Cedric Bakambu denied by Denis Onyango on two occasions as Yannick Bolassie and Arthur Masuaku all failing to leave a mark.
This is the first victory for Uganda in AFCON since edging Nigeria 2-1 in 1978 AFCON semifinals thanks to Philip Omondi’s winner.
Uganda now lead group A with three points with a superior goal difference over hosts Egypt who beat Zimbabwe on Friday in the opener.
Uganda In Dream Land
After beating Ivory Coast in their pre-Afcon friendly, Uganda were motivated and confident of making a statement at a bigger stage.
Cranes coach Sebastien Desabre named a similar lineup, with Mike Azira and Khalid Aucho standing in the middle of the park.
Kaddu, who had scored Uganda’s needed goal to qualify in a 1-0 win against Cape Verde at Namboole, powered in with a brushing header before celebrating with his monkey dance.
The KCCA FC striker could have extended Uganda’s advantage but failed to connect from two two lofty deliveries.
At restart, Uganda went into driving seat, with Simba SC striker Emmanuel Okwi heading Miya’s in swinging freekick. It should be noted that Okwi was fouled for this same freekick.
The Stats
This is the first victory for Uganda Cranes in AFCON since beating Nigeria 2-1 in 1978 AFCON semis.
DR Congo has suffered their first loss in AFCON group stages – They were unbeaten in groups in their last nine group games at AFCON, although seven of those have been draws (W2).
Uganda have kept their second clean sheet in their 20 AFCON games. The first was in a 3-0 win against Morocco in March 1978.
Teams
DR Congo: Matampi; Mpeko, Luyindama, Mbemba, Tisserand, Masuaku, M’Poku, Bokadi, Elia, Bolasie, Bakambu
Subs: Muzinga, Ungenda, Akolo, Mputu, Bolingi, Moke, Mossi, Assombolanga, Maghoma, Shabani, Mandanda
Uganda: Onyango; Mugabi, Walusimbi, Wasswa, Juuko; Azira; Aucho, Miya, Lumala; Okwi, Kaddu
Subs: Odongkara, Ochaya, Awany, Lwanga, Kizito, Nsibambi, Mukiibi, Kateregga, Wadada, Magoola, Muleme, Kyambadde
