Uganda have beaten DR Congo 2-0 in their 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Group A opener on Saturday.
Goals from Patrick Kaduu and Emmanuel Okwi handed the Cranes a deserved victory in rather hot conditions at the Cairo International Stadium, Egypt.
There was song and dance on the streets of Kampala to celebrate the Cranes first AFCON win in over 30 years.
Coach Sebastien Desabre’s midfield and attack were hugely dominated by the likes of Khalid Aucho, Abdul Lumala, Emmanuel Okwi and host of others.
The East African nation took the lead on the 14th minutes when Patrick Kaddu got in front of the oblivious Cedric Bakambu to glance a header in at the near post from Farouk Miya’s corner.
Congo had the first clear chance in the 34th minute when Yannick Bolaise powered a diagonal long ranger from the left wing which was blocked by Cranes goalkeeper Denis Onyango at his near post.
A couple of minutes later, Uganda’s Farouk Miya made a solo run, dribbling past the Congo defence before his shot was blocked by goalkeeper Ley Matambi.
Congo missed a sure goal in the 40th minute when an unmarked Bope Bokandi headed a cross from the left by Arthur Musauku over the bar from the edge of the six-yard box.
On the other end, Emmanuel Okwi did manage to find the net for Uganda’s second, connecting Miya’s left-wing free-kick with a looping header that beat Ley Matampi from about 16 yards.
Moments after the resumption, Jose Mpoku created an entertaining piece of football when he dribbled past Cranes defender Hassan Waswa and barged into the penalty box from the right before producing a back pass which was powered over the bar by Yannick Bolaise.
Marcel Tisserand created an open chance for the Congolese in the 73rd minute when his through into the Uganda penalty box found Mpoku whose attempt was blocked by Onyango.
Onyango was forced to make another save a couple of minutes later when he kept out Musauku’s shot at his near post.
Uganda almost found their third goal off a counter-attack in the 81st minute when left winger Khalid Aucho latched on to pass from the midfield and made a speedy run into the Congo penalty box.
His shot beat Leopards goalkeeper Ley Matampi but was inches wide of the post.
Jonathan Bolingi almost pulled one back when his header hit the top of the crossbar with 20 minutes to go, but Uganda held firm to secure the win that takes them to the top of group A on goal difference with three points.
In the same group, Egypt beat Zimbabwe 1-0 in the tournament opening game at the same Cairo International Stadium.
