By Emmanuel Yaw Nkansah
Matchday 1 of the African U-20 might have started slowly with only one goal being scored in Group A, but Group B brought the heat as two cracking fixtures yielded six goals in total. Uganda defeated the Central African Republic, while Congo thwarted South Sudan’s plans to make a big impression in their first tournament appearance.
In the first Group B fixture of the day, Uganda eased to a comfortable 2-1 victory against the Central African Republic in a game which they dominated from start to finish. Goals from Isma Mugulusi in the 47th minute and John Paul Dembe in the 74th minute put Uganda in firm control of the game. In spite of the fairly balanced ball possession stats, Uganda made better use of their possession as they created multiple goal-scoring opportunities before breaking the resistance of the Central Africans and taking the lead in the 47th minute.
A second goal in the 74th minute put the result beyond doubt as the Ugandans remained in cruise control. A lapse in concentration late in injury time cost Uganda as the Central Africans took full advantage to score a consolation goal, Boris Gbenou hitting the back of the net in the 95th minute.
Congo denied South Sudan a victorious U-20 Afcon debut as they beat them 2-1 in the second Group B game. South Sudan tried, but were ultimately powerless to resist the dominant offensive of the favorites and were swept aside by a dominant Congolese side.
After repeated forays into the South Sudanese half in search of a goal, Congo finally got the breakthrough on the cusp of halftime when 17-year-old striker Deo Gracias Maurile Gloire Bassinga scored in the 45th minute.
Further pressure in the second half yielded results as South Sudanese midfielder Joseph Loro Marko Jele conceded a penalty in the 62nd minute. Prince Aldy Sousou Ilendo made no mistake from the spot and buried the resulting penalty into the net in the 63rd minute. The Young Bright Stars of South Sudan upped their game and managed to pull one back in the 83rd minute through striker Paul America Jawa Mara.
A comeback was not on the cards for the South Sudanese, however, as they failed to find an equalising goal and, in fact, were lucky not to have been buried under an avalanche of goals from their Congolese opponents.
Congo now leads the table, with Uganda in second place, both on three points. South Sudan and the Central African Republic are without a point and would need to turn things around in their next matches or face early elimination from the tournament. Interestingly, South Sudan and the Central African Republic will square off on matchday 2 in a clash which could potentially see one of the two nations crash out of the tournament. Uganda and Congo will also engage in a summit battle for the right to secure early qualification to the knockout phase in a match which could very well end in a draw.
