The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Johannesburg, South Africa | AFP | Title-holders the Democratic Republic of Congo were shock African Nations Championship victims Saturday after being held 1-1 at home by neighbours Congo Brazzaville.
The defending champions bowed out on away goals after a goalless first leg of the final round eliminator in Brazzaville last weekend.
DR Congo boasted an outstanding record in the previous four tournaments for home-based footballers with two titles and two quarter-finals finishes.
They were expected to win at the 80,000-capacity Stade des Martyrs in Kinshasa and qualify for the 2018 Nations Championship in Kenya next January and February.
Jean-Marc Makusu Mundele put the title-holders ahead on 36 minutes only for Jaures Ngombe to equalise just two minutes later.
Thank you @UgandaCranes fans for supporting. #ItIsOurGameItIsOurCountry. Together we qualify for #CHAN2018Kenya @MosesMagogo @CAF_Online @ pic.twitter.com/lZQMDkZd70
— Uganda FA [FUFA] (@OfficialFUFA) August 19, 2017
DR Congo needed at least one more goal to survive, but Congo defended bravely to clinch only a second appearance at the 16-team tournament.
Mali, who lost the 2016 final against DR Congo in Kigali, were another shock casualty as they had a man sent off when crashing 1-0 at home to Mauritania.
Karamoko Traore scored the tie-clinching goal on 38 minutes in Bamako and the hosts were reduced to 10 men before half-time when Boubacar Samassekou was red-carded.
Mauritania advanced 3-2 on aggregate as they confirmed that their days as African football whipping boys are over.
Nigeria secured a ticket to Kenya by overcoming Benin 2-0 in Kano thanks to goals from new attack partners Rabiu Ali and Kingsley Eduwo.
Trailing 1-0 from the first leg, the Nigerians levelled the aggregate score when Ali struck on 37 minutes and Eduwo netted the crucial goal just after half-time.
The Ivory Coast, third behind DR Congo and Mali at the 2016 Nations Championship, scored seven minutes into stoppage time to pip Niger for a finals slot.
Sanfo Sylla netted to earn the Ivorians a 1-0 victory on an artificial Abidjan pitch and overall success on away goals after a 2-2 aggregate stalemate.
Severely depleted South Africa contained Zambia for 79 minutes in Ndola before conceding two goals in three minutes to lose the match 2-0 and the tie 4-2 on aggregate.
Justin Shonga bagged a brace to spare Zambian blushes against opponents deprived of many first choices because clubs refused to release them.
Angola fluffed a penalty in Luanda before Dany scored the only goal of the tie just past the hour to inflict a first loss in 11 matches on Madagascar.
Rwanda staged a brave comeback to defeat Uganda 2-0 in Kigali but fail 3-2 on aggregate, and Cameroon and Sudan also booked places in Kenya.
Congratulations Uganda Cranes. Kenya, here we come for Total CHAN finals 2018. Uganda qualifies 3-2 on aggregate pic.twitter.com/oKuadF7ju2
— Uganda FA [FUFA] (@OfficialFUFA) August 19, 2017
