Group B of the 2023 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations has an interesting mix of teams.
The group consists of Uganda, Central African Republic (CAR), South Sudan and Congo but South Sudan stand out as they are making their first appearance in the tournament.
The most interesting fact about Group B teams is they all share geographical borders between themselves.
Congo shares boundaries with CAR while CAR shares borders with South Sudan. Uganda also shares borders with South Sudan. This factor makes Group B one of the toughest in the U-20 AFCON.
All matches will be played at the Suez Canal Stadium in Ismaila.
Uganda (Best result: 2021 – runners-up)
The young Cranes head to Egypt having finished as runners-up in the previous edition in Mauritania which they lost 2-0 to Ghana.
It was a massive achievement after they were disqualified from the first round of the qualifiers of the 2017 edition despite defeating neighbours Rwanda 3-2 on aggregate.
They will definitely want to gone at step better this time and have what it takes after to pull through in Group B after defeating South Sudan 2-1 in the final of the regional CECAFA U-20 Championship. They start their campaign against CAR on February 20.
Central African Republic (Best result: 2021 – quarter-finals)
The Wild Beasts never made an appearance at the U-20 AFCON under the current format which has been in place since 1991.
It however changed at the 2021 edition where they finished second behind Burkina Faso and ahead of Tunisia and Nambia. The Gambia was however too powerful for them as they lost 3-0 to the West African nation in the quarter-finals.
CAR will certainly want to go a step further in Egypt but playing against teams that are within close geographical proximity will pose a challenge.
37’: ⚽️
50’: ⚽️⚽️
73’: ⚽️⚽️⚽️🇺🇬 Derrick Kakooza stepping up with the only hat-trick in the 2021 #TotalEnergiesAFCONU20 💪@OfficialFUFA pic.twitter.com/Rbk57Uzewa
— #TotalEnergiesAFCONU20 (@CAF_Online) February 12, 2023
South Sudan (Best result: 2023 – tournament qualification)
The Bright Stars are still a relatively young country having gained independence in 2011.
Due to this, football in South Sudan is slowly building itself up and the U-20 AFCON presents the first time the country has qualified for any CAF-sanctioned tournament thanks to their runners-up spot at the 2022 CECAFA U-20 Championship.
South Sudan’s lack of experience in the U-20 AFCON makes them minnows and while that could signify they will be easy to beat, it’s up to coach Stefano Cusin to make a positive first impression that will put the spotlight on them, which begins with their opener against Congo.
Congo (Best result: 2007 – champions)
The young Red Devils are making it to the U-20 AFCON for only the third time in their history.
Their debut was a remarkable one with a 1-0 tournament triumph in 2007 over giants Nigeria, ranking as one of the finest moments in Congo’s footballing history.
Their next U-20 AFCON outing was in 2015 in Senegal but they crashed out of the group stage, finishing last in Group A behind Nigeria, the tournament hosts, Senegal, and the Ivory Coast.
Eight years is a long wait for another tournament appearance, and it is certain Yvan Kenmoe’s men will want to impose their authority in Ismaila, starting with their tie against new comers South Sudan.
GROUP B FIXTURES
Uganda vs Central African Republic – February 20 (3PM WAT)
South Sudan vs Congo – February 20 (6PM WAT)
Central African Republic vs South Sudan – February 23 (3PM WAT)
Congo vs Uganda – February 23 (6PM WAT)
Uganda vs South Sudan – February 26 (6PM WAT)
Central African Republic vs Congo – February 26 (6PM WAT)
