CAIRO — Congo booked their place in the quarter-finals of the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations with a goalless draw against the Central African Republic.
The draw was enough for the Red Devils to qualify as joint leaders of Group B with Uganda on 5 points.
The Hippos were held to a similar scoreline in Ismailia by neighbours and debutants South Sudan.
The draw held at the Cairo International Stadium saw Uganda clinching the top spot in Group B while Congo secured second place.
The Bright Stars of South Sudan also qualified as the third placed team in the group while a drawing of lots separated Uganda and Congo.
Congo needed a point to confirm their place against the Central African Republic who needed to win and hope Uganda beat South Sudan.
The Congolese had to earn their point the hard way as the Central African Republic put up a strong challenge.
Congo enjoyed large parts of possession but lacked the cutting edge while Les Fauves played on the counter-attack with their long balls.
The Les Fauves style caused Congo problems as they tried to defend their goal.
Ato-Zandanga came close for Sebastien Ngato’s boys two minutes before the break with a long range effort hitting the post.
The CAR grew in confidence and had some half chances but failed to take them.
The draw eliminated the Central African Republic while Congo marched on to the quarter-finals as the second placed team in Group B following the drawing of lots to decide the leader of the group.
Sudan shares spoils to reach quarters
South Sudan drew goalless with neighbours Uganda in Group C to qualify to the quarter-finals.
The Bright Stars finished in third place behind Uganda and Congo who is leveled at the top of Group C.
The Hippos dominated the early exchanges of the East African derby at the Suez Canal Stadium in Ismailia.
Jackson Mayanja’s charges created numerous chances in the first half but failed to find a way past Godwill Yogusuk in the South Sudan goal.
Umar Lutalo found space down the left channel of the Ugandan attack, dropping a shoulder to cut in before seeing his effort cleared inside ten minutes of the thrilling derby.
Uganda continued to push forward with Lutalo and Rogers Mugisha combining well on the left side of their attack.
South Sudan defender Daniel Bichok produced a last ditch challenge to deny Rogers Mugisha from going through on goal.
The Bright Stars registered their first efforts on target midway through the first half through Paul Mara’s glancing header.
The diminutive winger rose high in the box head straight at Abdu Magada who was on alert.
The Hippos saw efforts from distance by Lutalo, Mugisha and Mayanja missed the target as South Sudan defended well with numbers.
The Bright Stars found the back of the net but Felix Abishai’s celebration was cut short when he was flagged offside on the stroke of half-time.
The second-half was an even battle as both sides pushed for the breakthrough under the floodlights at the Suez Canal Stadium.
Paul Mara came close to giving South Sudan the lead ten minutes after the restart when he headed over the rushing Yogusuk but his effort came off the post.
The Bright Stars were guilty of another missed opportunity with second half substitute Peter Chut missing an open goal from Emmanuel Loboka’s cross.
Jackson Mayanja’s teams created two late half chances through Travis Mutyaba. Travis Mutyaba had a shot turned over before Yogusuk denied him with a low diving save.
The both sides canceled each other out to settle for the points and go through to the quarter-finals.
