Despite a disappointing 3-0 loss to Algeria in their opening match of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024, Ugandan fans and officials have expressed renewed optimism ahead of the team’s next encounter.
The match, played at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole, saw goals from Ayoub Ghezala, Meziane Abderrahmane, and Soufine Beyazid seal a comfortable win for the Desert Foxes. Uganda struggled to contain Algeria’s attacking fluidity and failed to convert their few promising moments into goals.
Uganda Cranes appeared unsettled early in the match, with the midfield struggling to maintain cohesion under Algeria’s pressure. Despite this, playmaker Joel Sserunjogi gave the home fans brief moments of hope by dictating tempo in the first half. However, Ghezala broke the deadlock in the 35th minute, capitalizing on a lapse in Uganda’s defense.
Head Coach Morley Byekwaso reacted swiftly at halftime, introducing Karim Watambala for Jude Ssemugabi. The substitution sparked life into Uganda’s attack, with Watambala narrowly missing an equalizer in the 63rd minute.
But the momentum quickly shifted again. Meziane Abderrahmane doubled Algeria’s lead in the 76th minute with a strike that beat Uganda’s goalkeeper. Moments later, substitute Soufine Beyazid punished a defensive error, slotting in a third goal in the 79th minute.
Despite the loss, Ugandan authorities struck a defiant tone.
“The referee has blown the final whistle, but one thing is clear, we’ll be back stronger on Friday,” the Government of Uganda posted on X. “The coaches have analysed every detail, the goalkeeper is now fully alert, and our strikers and defenders have picked up valuable lessons. Come Friday, someone’s going to pay for this.”
Uganda will now turn its attention to Friday’s must-win clash against Guinea, who edged Niger 1-0 in their opener.
The Cranes will hope to regroup and bounce back in front of their home crowd, who remain hopeful that lessons learned in the opener can ignite a stronger performance in the next game.
