DRC 0-2 Uganda(Kaddu 14’ , Okwi 48’)
Uganda on Saturday broke the 41 year jinx of not winning a game at Afcon finals since the 1978 edition to beat Democratic Republic of Congo in their opening game of the 39th edition of continent’s most prestigious football tournament.
Just like the Biblical David killed Goliath, the Cranes whose only claim to success at the tournament was finishing runners up in 1978 and had been described as the underdogs against the two time winners surprised many when they beat Felix Tshisekedi’s boys.
Despite a shaky start to the game, Uganda gained momentum in the 14th minute after Patrick Kaddu’s goal.
It was Abdu Lumala’s run from the right flank that saw him cross put the ball into the DRC box but it was put away by defenders for a corner.
Faruku Miya curled the resultant corner kick well onto Patrick Kaddu’s head who made no mistake but brush the ball off his head past the DRC goalkeeper for Uganda’s opener.
The East African team never looked back and held onto the goal until the end of the first stanza with a number of chances created.
The game ended one nil in favour of Uganda at half time.
Despite having a handful of supporters led by the State Minister for Tourism Godfrey Kiwanda and Makindye West MP Allan Ssewanyana in the 70000-seater Cairon International Stadium, the Cranes team never minded about anything but returned with momentum in the second half and in the 48th minute they got a second one.
A free kick by Faruku Miya was well received by Emma Owki to nod home his first goal and the second for Uganda to send fans into frenzy.
Sebastien Desabre’s boys never looked back and could have taken the game beyond reach with both Emma Okwi and Patrick Kaddu missing a number of clear chances as the DRC goalkeeper had a business day at office.
The opponents also tried out their chances on several occasions at the Cranes goal but skipper Denis Onyango was right there in time.
At the end of the day, just like the Bible story of David and Goliath, Uganda that had been David for being the underdogs and ill-prepared beat DRC, the Goliath on the day.
Uganda is now top of Group A with a better goal difference than hosts Egypt who are second after tipping Zimbabwe one nil on Friday.
Uganda Cranes starting XI
Denis Onyango, Bevis Mugabi, Godfrey Walusimbi, Murushid Jjuuko Hassan Wasswa, Mike Azira, Emmanuel Okwi, Khalid Aucho, Faruku Miya(Timothy Awany), Patrick Kaddu(Allan Kyambadde), Abdul Lumala(Isaac Muleme).
