A masterclass performance from the Cranes of Uganda ensured that they ended up 2-0 winners at the expense of the more fancied Leopards of D.R Congo. Danger men, Yannik Bolasie and Cedric Bakambu were kept at bay by a very organized Ugandan defense. D.R Congo was undone by two set pieces – Patrick Kaddu rose highest to flick home a Faraku Miya cross in the 14th minute whiles Emmanuel Okwi, in similar fashion also rose the highest to flick home a F. Miya free kick in the 48th minute. Uganda will be satisfied with the result although they should have scored more.
How did the less fancied Uganda pull up the first “shocker” of the tournament? It balled down to the tactical set-ups of both teams. Whereas the Ugandans were direct in their play, D.R Congo opted to use long balls. Considering the height of the Ugandan players, it turned out to be the wrong choice.
Also, D.R Congo can be faulted for their approach when they lost the ball and during set-pieces. Uganda was aggressive when they lost the ball and pressed DR Congo high up the pitch, denying D.R Congo the space and time to string passes together. D.R Congo on the other hand, sought to implement zonal marking, which failed horribly – their players were seen retreating in order to mark spaces and were not aggressive enough when they got closer to the ball. Ultimately, their zonal marking strategy cost them two goals from set pieces.
The Ugandans were afforded a lot of space and should they have been clinical enough, they would have won the game by a wider margin.
Source: Baiden Gideon/ EonlineGH.com
