CAIRO – Egyptian U-20 national team, nicknamed the Young Pharaohs, finished preparations in readiness for their clash against Senegal in Group A of the U-20 African Cup of Nations on Saturday at 7:00pm Cairo Local Time.
Elsewhere, South Sudan forward Paul Mara Jawa won and converted a penalty against the Central African Republic (CAR) to secure the Young Bright Stars a 1-0 victory and their first ever win at the tournament.
Meanwhile, the Hippos of Uganda were held to an entertaining 2-2 draw by a ten-man Congo side in the top-of-the-table clash in Group B.
Egypt’s coach Mahmoud Gaber said that his side failed to recover from the shock of going down against Nigeria on Wednesday.
The hosts were held to a goalless draw by Mozambique in the tournament opener and now sit in third place with a solitary point ahead of Saturday’s must win match against high flying Senegal.
The Flying Eagles of Nigeria beat hosts Egypt 1-0 at Cairo International Stadium in the Group A game.
The Young Pharaohs created numerous chances to go in front but they lacked the cutting edge to convert the opportunities and head coach Mahmud Gaber said that his team were under pressure after going behind to Solomon Agbalaka’s bullet header.
“The players were very tense after the goal and felt under pressure, and this greatly affected them,” the former Ismaily gaffer said.
“We missed many opportunities, and if we were focused, we would have decided the match in our favour.”
“The injury affected us greatly in the second half. We will not blame the matter on injuries, but we lost many distinguished players before the tournament,” Gaber added.
“But we are holding on to our hopes and we will fight to complete the campaign. Senegal is a strong team, but we will fight for the victory and to qualify.”
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.
S. Sudan seals win over CAR
South Sudan forward Paul Mara Jawa won and converted a penalty against the CAR.
Diminutive winger Paul Mara Jawa was wrestled to the deck under the challenge of Fanuel Franck Koyakogue and he made no mistake when the referee pointed to the spot to give his team the lead.
The debutants started well at the Suez Canal Stadium in Ismailia with hope of making history following their defeat to Congo in the first match of Group B.
Peter James and his troops recorded the famous and historic win through star winger Mara who scored his second of the tournament.
South Sudan dominated possession in the opening exchanges of the Group B clash as both teams sought to get their campaigns back on track.
Central African Republic weathered the early South Sudan pressure and came close through Ato-Zandanga’s fierce drive forcing a save from Godwill Sabio Yogusuk after 12 minutes of the bruising contest.
The Central African Republic took control of the match with Ato-Zandanga pushing Les Fauves forward with exchange of passes in the middle of the park.
The youngster forced another smart save from the busy Yogusuk in the South Sudan goal midway through the first-half.
Les Fauves hit the post just before the half hour mark through Ato-Zandanga. The midfielder struck a set piece over the Bright Stars wall with the keeper beaten only for it to crash against the post.
Ato-Zandanga was again involved for the Central African Republic ten minutes before the break, cutting inside the area from the left channel and unleashing a curled low effort which Yogusuk turned away for a corner.
The Bright Stars held onto their lead going into the break.
The second-half saw a more even match with South Sudan pushing forward with the Man-of-the-Match Paul Mara Jawa their threat on the left.
Mara found Abishai just outside the CAR box with a neat first touch pass and the striker dragged his effort straight at the keeper.
The CAR continued to cause problems for South Sudan on the other end with Gbenou and Ato-Zandanga coming close but they lacked the cutting edge to beat Yogusuk in goal for South Sudan.
The Bright Stars held on to secure their historic win in the tournament and boosted their chances of qualifying to the quarter-finals.
Uganda held by Congo
The Hippos of Uganda were held to an entertaining 2-2 draw by a ten-man Congo side in the top-of-the-table clash in Group B.
The two teams won their opening matches with identical 2-1 scoreline against the Central African Republic and South Sudan respectively at the Suez Canal Stadium.
The stage was set for an exciting clash and it lived up to expectation right from the start of the speedy game.
Jackson Mayanja’s Hippos were punished after six minutes when Josna Loulendo powered home Prince Aldy Soussou Ilendo’s corner at the near post.
The Ugandans failed to pick up Loulendo’s run up to meet the cross from the left and the Association Sportive Etoile forward guided his pinpoint headed past the helpless Abu Magada to give Congo the lead against the run of play.
Uganda was guilty of missing a clearcut chance two minutes before Loulendo’s goal when Paul Dembe failed to dispatch Isma Mugulusi’s brilliant squared pass.
The CECAFA champions restore parity through Titus Ssematimba close range finish following a goalkeeping howler by Christophe Wamba. The young keeper failed to deal with Rogers Mugisha’s freekick allowing the midfielder to slot home the equaliser on 11 minutes.
The highly charged match presented opportunities for either side at the Suez Canal Stadium in the Egyptian city of Ismailia.
The Hippos put their noses in from just after the half hour mark through Saidi Mayanja close range finish from captain Isma Mugulusi’s perfectly timed layoff.
The Young Red Devils were reduced to ten men following the second booking of captain Claude Ngongara on first half stoppage time.
The second half saw both teams moving forward as they chased the next goal of the match under the bright floodlights at the Suez Canal Stadium. Uganda striker Paul Dembe missed two chances to put the match to bed.
The Red Devils leveled matters from another set piece this time Prince Mombouli heading past Magada. The Hippos were caught napping again allowing the defensive midfielder to snatch a point for Congo 18 minutes from.
Both sides pushed in the closing stages to find the winner neither was able to score with Issa Bugembe coming close for Uganda while Soussou dragged a shot wide.
Saturday’s fixtures
19:00 Egypt vs Senegal
19:00 Mozambique vs Nigeria
