Mexico City, Mexico - Africa's only winning team in the first set of matches at the ongoing FIFA Under-17 World Cup, Congo, has failed to live up to expectations after losing its second group A match 2-1 to host Mexico Tuesday. The loss was compounded by the sending off of two Congolese players. Congo had managed to equalise in the 73rd minute, through Bel Epako, after the hosts shot ahead in the 40th. But the joy of the equaliser was short-lived as Mexico took full advantage of its numerical superiority to put the match beyond doubt in the 85th minute.

Mexico has now become the first team through to the round of 16, while Congo will seek to re-enact the form that gave it victory over European champion the Netherlands, when it meets North Korea in their last group match on Friday.

Africa's other representatives - Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire and Rwanda - all lost their opening matches.

Rwanda returns to action against Uruguay in their second group C match Wednesday, after losing 2-0 to England in the opener.

Pana 23/06/2011