All four teams in Group B were in contention for the group’s two spots in the quarterfinals at the 2022 African Nations Championship but it was Senegal and Ivory Coast who emerged with victories on Sunday. Senegal finished as group winners with a 3-0 victory over DR Congo whose chances evaporated when the Leopards were reduced to ten players following Kévin Mondeko’s red card. Group leaders heading into Sunday, Uganda were eliminated with a 3-1 defeat to Ivory Coast who finally found their form at the perfect time to equal the Cranes on points and advance by the head-to-head record tiebreaker.
Ousmane Diouf scored in the first half for Senegal before Papa Diallo produced an excellent finish to double the Local Lions’ lead. DR Congo goalkeeper Baggio Siadi’s own goal soon after Diallo’s strike summed up the Congolese team’s luck in Algeria as they crashed out following a turbulent campaign characterized by a lack of adequate preparation and off-pitch distractions.
Ivory Coast jumped on Uganda from the beginning and showed improved instincts in the final third. ASEC Mimosas forward Karamoko Sankara bent down to head in Constant Wayou’s 12th free kick service from out wide and Patrick Ouotro doubled the Elephants’ lead fifteen minutes later with a clever lifted finish over Uganda keeper Nafian Alionzi. After Moses Waiswa’s penalty kick later on in the first half the Cranes pushed hard for a leveler in the second half but were caught on the break with Sankara setting up an open shot that club teammate Aubin Kramo fired in past Alionzi.
Highlights of both games from Sunday are below.
Scores & Standings
Senegal 3-0 DR Congo
Ivory Coast 3-1 Uganda
- Senegal 6 points +3
- Ivory Coast 4 points +1
- Uganda 4 points -1
- DR Congo 2 points -3
Highlights
Senegal 3-0 DR Congo
Ivory Coast 3-1 Uganda