AFCON U17 Group B
Wednesday, May 13
•Uganda 3-0 DR Congo
•Ivory Coast 2-0 Cameroon
Table
- Uganda – 3
- Ivory Coast – 3
- Cameroon – 0
- DR Congo – 0
Uganda Cubs got their AFCON U17 campaign off to a flying start with a commanding 3-0 victory over DR Congo in Morocco.
Captain Owen Mukisa, Nicholas Kawooya and Abdushakur Babi were all on target in an explosive performance from the Cubs.
At 2-0, Uganda were reduced to 10 men after Travor Mubiru was sent off for a second yellow card following a handball in midfield in the 80th minute.
Mukisa opened the scoring in the 36th minute, powering home what appeared to be a header — though the effort may have come off his shoulder — after a brilliant trivela cross from Mubiru.
Mukisa then turned provider as his corner kick was headed in by Kawooya at the stroke of halftime to double Uganda’s advantage.
After Mubiru’s dismissal, DR Congo committed more bodies forward in search of a way back into the game with 10 minutes remaining.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, Uganda capitalised on a counterattack when Arafat Ibanda teed up Babi, who finished brilliantly in the 82nd minute.
Uganda will look to maintain their perfect start when they return to action against Cameroon on Saturday before wrapping up their Group B campaign against Ivory Coast on May 19.
The top two teams from each group will not only progress to the knockout stage but also qualify for the FIFA U17 World Cup. Africa’s two additional slots will be decided through playoffs at the tournament.
Uganda qualified for the World Cup through the playoffs last year, but Laryea Kingston’s charges will fancy their chances of sealing direct qualification this time round.
Uganda Cubs XI – Ashraf Lukyamuzi, Enock Mwesiga, Eze Kombi, John Owino, Henry Muhoozi, Owen Mukisa, Fahad Ismail, Travor Mubiru, Nicholas Kawooya, Brian Olwa, Mujad Mbalire
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