CAIRO – Egyptian U-20 national team, nicknamed the Young Pharaohs, finished preparations in readiness for their clash against Nigeria in Group A of the U-20 African Cup of Nations on Wednesday at 7:00pm Cairo Local Time.
Elsewhere, Uganda and Congo got their campaign off to winning start over Central African Republic (CAR) and South Sudan respectively.
Egypt’s coach Mahmoud Gaber expressed his frustration following his team’s barren stalemate against Mozambique in the opening match. “We are not afraid of facing any team and we were not calm when we had our chances,” Gaber said at his post-match press conference.
“We didn’t focus with our chances and that’s one of the reasons why we failed to win. The Mozambican national team relied on the break and defended well which made it difficult.”
forward Ahmed Abdel-Hamid is confident the hosts will recover from their draw against Mozambique as they bid to win the title on home soil.
The Zamalek youngster was named the Man of the Match following his impressive performance at the Cairo International Stadium on Sunday.
“We’re all confident that we will be crown champions of the tournament and celebrate it in our home. We want to celebrate with our fans,” Abdel-Hamid said.
The Young Pharaohs enter the tournament with two goals, the first is to book a ticket to the FIFA U-20 World Cup, and the second is to win the biennial jamboree with the support of the home faithful.
The first two teams in the three groups will advance to the quarter-finals alongside the two best performances of teams who ended third in the different groups.
The first four teams will represent the continent in the upcoming U-20 World Cup set to be played in Indonesia next May.
Egypt won the tournament in 2013 on penalties against Ghana to make it four U-20 AFCON titles following their successes in 1981, 1991 and 2003.
The Young Pharaohs have one silver medal to their name in 2005 and three bronze titles having finished third in 1993, 2001 and 2011 respectively.
Congo survives late South Sudan scare
Congo survived a late scare to beat debutants South Sudan 2-1 in U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Suez Canal Stadium.
Goals on either side of half-time gave the Red Devils a 2-0 lead before South Sudan pulled a goal back in the closing stages of the match.
The South Sudanese played with a lot of heart on their big day as they appeared at the tournament for the first time but were forced to make and early substitution following injury to defender Sarfino Lado.
The Bright Stars forward Felix Abishai was presented with the first real opportunity of the match under the floodlights at the Suez Canal Stadium.
The lanky striker forced a save from Christophe Wamba with the near post low effort.
The Red Devils grew into the match and enjoyed possession in large parts of the first half but they lacked the cutting edge to trouble Simon Yogusuk in the South Sudan goal.
Bassinga put Congo ahead with a close range finish against the run of play on the stroke of half time. The Man of the Match slotted home past Yogusuk with a poacher’s finish.
Sousssou Ilendo doubled Congo’s advantage from the penalty spot after captain Ngongara was brought down in the area.
South Sudan pulled one back courtesy of Paul Mara seven minutes from time.
The tricky winger cut inside the Congolese box before firing across Wamba’s near post to give South Sudan their first ever goal at the tournament.
The debutants came close to sharing the spoils late on through Atiki Abiaza ferocious low drive which hit the side netting of the Red Devils goal.
Marie Joseph Madienguela’s side held on to secure the points and join Uganda at the summit of Group B.
Uganda stuns Central African Republic 2-1
Uganda defeated Central African Republic (CAR) 2-1 in the Egyptian city of Ismailia.
Second-half goals from captain Isma Mugulusi and John Paul Dembe fired Uganda ahead before Boris Gbenou pulled a goal to make for a nervy finish.
Mugulusi put the Hippos in the lead in just after the break before Dembe hit the target in the 74th minute to put Uganda in a comfortable lead in the Group B match at the Suez Canal Stadium.
Gbenou’s late strike restored some hope for CAR but the runners-up in the previous tournament held on to win their match opening match of the tournament.
The Central African Republic started brightly with Moustapha Djimet leading the line for coach Sebastien Ngato’s Les Fauve.
The Red Star forward was presented with two half chances in the opening minutes of the close match.
The towering youngster saw his low effort saved by Abou Magada in the Ugandan goal before glancing a header wide at the back post.
Man of The Match Rogers Mugisha looked to be the spark in the Hippos attack, he delivered a cross into the area, but Dembe couldn’t latched on the inviting cross as both sides cancelled each other in the first-half.
Isma Mugulusi gave Uganda the lead two minutes after the restart from Rogers Mugisha’s left delivery. The Makedonikos striker guided his effort past the helpless Stephane Mauril Abimala.
Ibrahim Juma tested the Central African Republic keeper with a sticking free kick from outside the area, Abimala turned away the keeper for a Uganda corner.
Mugisha continue to pose a threat to the Central African defense with his tricky runs down the left channel for Uganda.
He played in John Paul Dembe who failed to connect with the ball. Titus Ssematimba came close doubling Uganda’s lead on 67 minutes when his half volley came off the post.
John Paul Dembe made it 2-0 for the Hippos with neatly taken goal 16 minutes from time. The KCCA forward turned his maker inside out before beating Abimala with a well taken strike.
Boris Gbenou pulled one back for CAR deep into stoppage time with a brilliantly struck effort past Abou Magada.
Wednesday’s fixtures
16:00 Mozambique vs Senegal
19:00 Egypt vs Nigeria
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