The Central African Republic revived their hopes in the UNIFFAC U17 tournament with a thrilling 3-2 victory over the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on matchday two.
The win marked a remarkable turnaround for the Central Africans, who had suffered a crushing 9-0 defeat to Cameroon in their opening fixture.
A dramatic encounter
Determined to bounce back from their heavy loss, the Central African Republic started the match with intensity and took the lead in the first half.
However, DR Congo responded swiftly, leveling the score before the break to set up an intriguing second half.
The Central Africans regained their advantage with a second goal after the restart, maintaining their attacking momentum.
They extended their lead with a third, putting them firmly in control of the contest.
The Leopards managed to pull one back late in the match, but it was not enough to prevent their first defeat of the tournament.
Qualification hangs in the balance
The result leaves DR Congo’s qualification hopes for the U17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) uncertain.
With three points from two matches, the Leopards must now secure a positive result in their final group-stage fixture against Cameroon to advance.
For the Central African Republic, the victory significantly improves their chances of qualification.
Also sitting on three points, they remain in contention for a place in Morocco and will look to capitalize on their momentum in their final fixture against Gabon.
Standings after two matches
- Cameroon – 6 points (+15)
- DR Congo – 3 points (+1)
- Central African Republic – 3 points (-8)
- Gabon – 0 points (-8)
Final matchday fixtures (February 22)
- Cameroon vs DR Congo
- Gabon vs Central African Republic
Both matches will determine the final standings, with DR Congo and the Central African Republic still fighting for a place at the U17 AFCON.
