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The Congolese and Tanzania registered vital wins in their respective group matches of the 2023 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
Desabre’s team stopped a 10-man Mauritania side 3-1 in a Group I match played at the TP Mazembe Stadium in Lubumbashi.
The visiting Mauritania pushed forward from the start of the match, but had Idrissa Thiam sent-off early after only 23 minutes.
Cheered on by the Congolese fans, The Leopards took the lead through French based forward Gael Kakuta after 37 minutes. After five minutes Cedric Bakambu who plies his trade with Olympiacos Piraeus in Greece made it 2-0 with a neat finish past Niass Babacar.
The Mauritanian team returned after recess with different ideas as they controlled play. Aly Abeid pulled a goal back for Mauritania after finishing off a well taken cross by midfielder Gussouma Fofana.
But the home side did not give up and responded with numerous attacks at goal before Arthur Masuaka scored after 67 minutes to make it 3-1.
“I am glad the players listened to the instructions and worked hard to get this win. It’s good to see a team score three goals although we still have work to do ahead of the return leg against the same team,” said DR Congo coach Desabre after the match
After losing two matches to Gabon and Sudan last year under coach Hector Cuper, it was DR Congo’s first win in the qualifiers under a new coach Desabre who took up the job last August.
The win sends DR Congo to third place with three points, while Gabon who beat Sudan on Thursday top the Group with seven points.
In a Group F match played at the Suez Canal Stadium in Ismailia, Taifa Stars of Tanzania defeated hosts Uganda Cranes 1-0.
Dickson Nickson Job’s well taken cross was connected well by Simon Msuva and gave Uganda’s goalkeeper Salim Omar Magoola no chance after 65 minutes.
The win sends Tanzania to second place in the group with 4 points, behind Algeria who lead with 9 points.
Earlier Tanzania’s captain Mbwana Ally Samatta missed the target, while Joseph Benson Ochaya’s shot was also blocked by goalkeeper Aishi Salum Manula in the first half.
Uganda Cranes coach Milutin “Micho’ Sredojovic made three changes in the second half, but his team still failed to find the goals.
Adel Amrouche, the Taifa Stars head coach who only signed a few days ago said he was not only happy with the result, but impressed by the display of his team. “I have only been with this team for a few days and picking this win away from home is a good motivator ahead of our next home match against the same team next week in Dar es Salaam,” added Amrouche.
Source:Cafonline