Uganda bounced back in style, thrashing Tanzania 3-0 on the second matchday in group A of the Total Energies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations.(AFCON)
Simon Wanyama, Richard Okello, and James Bogere were on target as Uganda recovered from the 5-0 humiliation suffered in the opening match at the youth tournament.
Uganda were a better side right from the start in the highly anticipated showdown at El Bachir Stadium, launching constant attacks on the goal of the Serengeti Boys.
The resolute Tanzania defensive wall put their bodies on line plus goalkeeper Abrahman Vai Nassoro who intervened on different occasions to deny the Cubs a breakthrough at the interval.
Coming back from the recess, Tanzania were reduced to 10 players, with defender Hussien Mbegu sent off in the 56th minute following a VAR review from referee Lominson Elvis.
Uganda took advantage of the numerical superiority in remaining minutes of the East African derby to secure their first win at this year’s edition in North Africa.
Simon Wanyama opened the scoring 6 minutes later, tapping home to put Uganda ahead after some excellent work from forward James Bogere.
Uganda doubled the lead in closing stages of the contest through skipper Okello in the 85th minute before Bogere sealing the victory from the spot in injury time.
Hosts and 10-mam Morocco shared spoils with Zambia in a goalless draw witnessed in the other group A duel. The two share the top of Group A with 4 points each.
Uganda who triumphed 3-0 over the neighbors, occupy the third place with 3 points, while Tanzania, after two consecutive defeats remain bottom of the group.
Qualification format
The top two teams in each group qualify for the quarter-finals, and the 2025 FIFA World Cup, before the competition continues in a knockout format.
The remaining two qualification places for African nations at the FIFA World Cup will be decided via play-off matches between the teams that finish third in their groups.
