Uganda will face the table table leaders Senegal on Wednesday while in the other fixture DRC face bottom-placed Ivory Coast in the second group game match.
CHAN Group B is shaping up with Senegal topping the table thanks to Moussa Ndiaye’s second half strike that gave the Teranga Lions the win.
Ndiaye, came in as a substitute and the pair of fresh legs on the field made the difference in a hotly-contested affair from the two West Africa football powerhouses.
Senegal started off brilliantly with Elimane Cisse almost setting up Cheikh Diouf for an early goal just five minutes into the first half. Diouf failed to beat the goalkeeper after losing control of the ball.
Minutes later Cisse again set up Diouf for another excellent opportunity but Souleymane Coulibaly came in handy to deny Diouf’s shot with a superb clearance.
In the second half, the Elephants responded with more intent to attack and came close a couple of times.
However, Senegal bounced back and were unlucky to miss from the spot in the 70th minute as Ayayi Folly saved Lamine Camara’s penalty after a handball in the box.
In the 73rd minute Camara made amends delivering a free kick that rebounded off the woodwork only for Ndiaye to tap in from close range.
Senegal defended their lead and took the three points. Uganda and DRC are tied second on the log with a goal each.