IFFHS CONTINENTAL STATS - CHAN DAY 7
Picture : Allan Okello and Uganda impressive !
Uganda avenge debut loss as South Africa make impressive start.
Two group C games at the Nelson Mandela National Stadium, Kampala this Friday lived to their billing given the pre-match stakes. South Africa, rested on day 1, stepped out of the locker room conscious of the self confidence brought on by Algeria thanks to their 3/0 win on debut. And it will be their goalkeeper Zulu to deny Algeria the opener early into the game with a rare reflex. However, a second attempt landed the North Africans a one goal lead courtesy of a 29th minute cracker through Abdenhour Belhouini. The first half characterized by truly competitive play demonstrated by both sides would close on a note of satisfaction as the spoils are shared 50/50 thanks to an equalizer two minutes into stoppage time when Thabiso Kutumela inherited the ball and slotted it past keeper Zakaria Bouhalfaya. Voices might have been raised over two decisions by Ivorian referee Clement Franklin Kpan but what was retained of the game was that the technical level was undoubtedly impressive. South Africa juvenile in his first-ever appearance in the colors of the national team, Malibongwe Khoza was voted Mvp.
In the second game, more than 45 thousands at the same setting effectively playing the role of the 12th player for hosts, Uganda. They had lost their first game in the tournament 0/3 to Algeria. Therefore, faced with the glaring possibility of being shown the door after their second outing, they were clearly on a suicide mission. At sunset, they had prevailed 3/0 with goals by, Reagan Mpande (31st minute), Allen Okello (62nd minute penalty) and Ivan Ahimbisibwe (90th minute). Those two results are certainly sending bookmakers to their calculators on possible quarterfinalists from the group ahead of day 3 games. Ugandan Ivan Ahimbisibwe was voted Mvp.
Group B games Central Africa Republic vs Mauritania and Tanzania vs Madagascar get underway this Saturday.