TotalEnergies AFCON U-20: CAR response gives coach Ngato hope

Central African Republic (CAR) coach Sebastien Ngato says his team's response after going two goals down to Uganda gives him hope at the TotalEnergies U-20 Africa Cup of Nations.

Ngato made the statement following his side's 2-1 defeat at the hands of the Hippos at the Suez Canal Stadium in the Egyptian city of Ismailia on Monday.

Second-half goals from captain Isma Mugulusi and John Paul Dembe fired Uganda ahead before Boris Gbenou pulled a goal back in stoppage time to make for a nervy finish.

Gbenou's goal for Les Fauves deep into stoppage time has given the coach of CAR that they can play well in this edition of the tournament being played in Egypt.
"We played better after we went behind against a very good Ugandan team," Ngato said after the match.
"We started well but lost the rhythm in the second half. The second half performance is encouraging for us as we have two matches to realise our target of qualifying."
The Central African Republic are taking part in the TotalEnergies U-20 Africa Cup of Nations for the second time after their debut in Mauritania two years ago.
Les Fauves will have to avoid defeat in their next match against South Sudan to keep their chances alive.