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Despite taking the lead early on, Congo found themselves trailing 2-1 at half-time after conceding two quick goals to Uganda at the Suez Canal Stadium in Ismailia.
Congo U20 forward Prince Aldy Soussou Ilendo praised his team's fighting spirit after they came from behind to salvage a 2-2 draw against Uganda Hippos, insisting that ‘it felt like a defeat’.
Despite taking the lead early on, Congo found themselves trailing 2-1 at half-time after conceding two quick goals to Uganda at the Suez Canal Stadium in Ismailia.
However, the 2007 U20 African champions refused to give up and managed to score a crucial equalizer inside the last 20 minutes to hand themselves a lifeline of progressing from Group B.
Speaking after the match, Soussou praised his team's resilience and determination, stating that "we never gave up, even when we were behind.”
“We knew we had to keep fighting until the end, and that's exactly what we did," he added.
Soussou provided the assist for Josna Loulendo to prod in the opening goal of the game inside five minutes.
Uganda pulled level six minutes later, Titus Ssematimba benefiting from a goalkeeping error by Christophe Wamba who dropped Rogers Mugisha’s low free-kick into his path.
The Hippos completed a quick turnaround in the 33rd minute, as Saidi Mayanja seized the opportunity to score the second goal for Uganda.
Congo was reduced to 10 men as they headed for the first-half break, and showed great resilience to stay in the game until they found the equaliser in the 72nd minute through Arnauvy Mombouli.
Soussou – named man of the match for a second consecutive game – insists that they must now focus on their final group game on Sunday.
“We need to take the positives from this match and build on them for our next game. We know we can do better, and we will work hard to make sure we come away with a win,”
Congo is currently tied on four points with Uganda, with South Sudan close behind with three points and the Central African Republic in last place with zero points.
Congo's final group match will be against the Central African Republic in Cairo on Sunday, and the team will need at least a point to secure their place in the next round.
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