DR Congo 0-2 Uganda
Underdogs Uganda comfortably defeated top favourites DR Congo in the second match of Group A in the 2019 African Cup of Nations at Cairo International Stadium on 22nd June.
In a game that many football lovers had anticipated DR Congo to show up with high tempo because of their enviable record, unfortunately, it was Uganda that looked dangerous for most parts of the game.
In just 15 minutes into the game, Uganda’s striker Patrick Kaddu planted his header perfectly into the left side of the goal from a whipped in Farouk Miya corner to give his side an early lead.
Kaddu, again had another chance to put Uganda two goals ahead in the 18th minute but he saw his fine headed ball going narrowly wide of the left post.
Meanwhile, Yannick Bolasie had the chance to put DR Congo back into the game when he found space into the box in the 31st minute but his looped header from a corner just went wide of the right post.
DR Congo’s Cedrick Bakambu also did well to control a poor pass on the edge of the box in the 43rd minute and shot towards the bottom corner but goalkeeper Denis Onyango was in the right place to deny him.
With three minutes into the second half, Emmanuel Okwi jumped highest near the penalty spot to plant in a bullet header in to the top right corner from a perfectly taken Farouk Miya freekick to give the Cranes a 2-0 lead.
In the 70th minute, Jonathan Bolingi for DR Congo connected with a cross near the penalty spot and produced a header which hit the crossbar and went out of play.
In the 77th minute, Cranes’ midfielder Emmanuel Okwi raced through the centre to the edge of the box but saw his rocket of a shot fly over the bar.
This win now means the Cranes are topping Group A with three points and two goals and are only one win away from securing qualification to the next round.
The black, yellow and red men will be looking to come up in full gear for their next group game against Zimbabwe on 26th June.
By John Dalton Kigozi
