Congo coach calls for greater focus in preparation for Uganda showdown

Coach Marie Joseph Madienguela has warned his Congolese players to be at their best throughout the game when they face the Uganda Hippos on Thursday in their second Group B fixture of the ongoing Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations.

Congo managed to match Uganda’s result over the Central African Republic by beating CECAFA debutants South Sudan by the same 2-1 margin at the Suez Canal Stadium, in Egypt.

Maurile Bassinga and Aldy Sousou gave the Congolese a comfortable 2-0 lead for about 80 minutes but they almost surrendered it due to their recklessness later.

Right-back Arnauvy Mombouli cheaply gave away possession to Abishai Agumembok who ran through to set Jawa Mara for a goal. South Sudan pushed for an equaliser but the Congolese held on to the win.

“The way we played we should be concentrating more and avoid the lapses of the closing stages,” Madienguela told the media.

“We will learn and improve in our next matches. It was important to win the match as it helps us reach our target,” he added.

The two results mean that Uganda Hippos and the Red Devils share the lead after matching each other in all the relevant statistics.

U-20 Africa Cup of Nations

Monday results

Uganda 2-1 CAR

S. Sudan 1-2 Congo

Thursday fixtures

CAR vs S. Sudan – 4 pm

Congo vs Uganda – 7 pm