The Leopards were beaten (0-1) in a crucial quarter-final match of the Africa Cup of Nations under-20 (CAN U20) against South Africa’s Amajita at the Suez Canal Authority Stadium in Ismailia, Egypt. The Congolese team managed to hold on until extra time, hoping to push the game to penalties, but they couldn’t handle the South Africans. It was a tough loss for Guy Bukasa’s men, who expressed his desire for the team to progress further than the quarter-finals.
Guy Bukasa seemed pretty proud of his boys, saying, “I believe that if we’re a bit serious in the analysis, we would have seen that it was a very intense match, two quality teams. I’m really happy with my boys because we’re the only team from Uniffac that managed to hold on until the last minute. But then, the balance of power showed that in other areas, there’s still consistency. So now it’s important for us to reassess ourselves. It’s not just about the air here, it’s about the entire zone. We need to get to work, we need to accept being consistent in what we do.” He also paid tribute to his players, acknowledging their dedication and bravery on the field during the tournament.
The DRC may have lost, but the players showed courage during the Africa Cup of Nations under-20. Bukasa emphasized the need for a national policy regarding youth sports, especially football, to ensure the national teams are strong. Even though they were disappointed by the elimination, Bukasa and his team had a brave journey with two losses, a win, and a draw. It’s clear that there’s potential in the team, but more work is needed to reach the World Cup.
