By David Mwanje
The Uganda Cranes reignited their TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 campaign with a commanding 2-0 victory over Niger at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole, on Monday night. This crucial win, following a 3-0 triumph over Guinea, has propelled the co-hosts to the top of Group C with six points, breathing new life into their quest to break their historical group-stage curse in their seventh consecutive CHAN appearance.
The Cranes’ journey in CHAN 2024 began with a sobering 3-0 defeat to Algeria (ranked 37th) on August 4, where defensive lapses and anxiety under home pressure were evident. Coach Morley Byekwaso admitted post-match that his team “buckled under pressure,” with goals from Ayoub Ghezala (36th minute), Abderrahmane Meziane (75th), and Soufiane Bayazid (78th) exposing Uganda’s frailties in midfield control and aerial duels. However, the Cranes have since shown resilience, securing back-to-back wins that have not only restored confidence but also earned them a hefty financial boost.
Against Niger, Uganda displayed tactical discipline and clinical finishing. The first goal came in the 25th minute after a VAR-reviewed penalty. Allan Okello, a standout from SC Vipers, saw his spot-kick saved by Niger’s goalkeeper but reacted swiftly to nod in the rebound, sending the Namboole crowd into a frenzy. The second goal arrived in the 56th minute, with Joel Sserunjogi capitalizing on Okello’s precise setup to fire home from close range. Uganda’s defense, anchored by Rogers Torach and Hillary Mukundane, held firm, with goalkeeper Joel Mutakubwa earning TotalEnergies Man of the Match honors for his crucial saves, as celebrated by @CAF_Online: “Keeping it safe for Uganda! Mutakubwa is the TotalEnergies Man of the Match! 🇺🇬🧤”.
The victories over Guinea and Niger have secured Uganda 2.4 billion Ugandan shillings (approximately $660,000) in match bonuses, with President Yoweri Museveni’s pledge of 1.2 billion shillings per win fueling the team’s motivation, as highlighted by Fufa president Moses Magogo on his X social media post “Yes 1.2bn UGX (330,000 USD) for team @UgandaCranes per match won at CHAN2024. The message has been delivered to the boys, and they are roaring to go.”
Fans on X erupted with pride, with @CAF_Online posting, “Uganda make a statement with a 2-0 win over Niger! 🤩🇺🇬” (18.5K likes), and @UgandaCranesFan exclaiming, “The Cranes are back! Okello and Sserunjogi deliver, Namboole is buzzing! Let’s keep this momentum! 🇺🇬⚽️” (15.7K likes). However, some fans remain cautious, with @SportsVibeUG noting, “Great win, but we need to stay focused. South Africa next is a big test for Byekwaso’s tactics” (10.2K likes).
These results have transformed Uganda’s tournament outlook. With six points, they lead Group C, ahead of Algeria and South Africa (four points each) and Guinea (three points), while Niger languish at the bottom with zero points. The Cranes’ final group match against South Africa will be pivotal, as only the top two teams advance. A win or draw could secure Uganda’s historic first knockout-stage berth, erasing the sting of their Algeria defeat and years of group-stage disappointments.
Byekwaso’s tactical adjustments have been key, with a compact shape and reliance on wingers like 18-year-old Travis Mutyaba unlocking defenses. However, the coach must address lingering midfield vulnerabilities to counter South Africa’s physicality. The financial incentive and home support, as echoed by @Football256 “Cranes are carrying a nation’s hopes. Let’s soar past South Africa!”add both pressure and inspiration.
For Niger, the defeat all but ends their knockout hopes, leaving them to play for pride against Algeria. Uganda, meanwhile, stand on the cusp of history, with their newfound resilience and Namboole’s electric atmosphere fueling dreams of CHAN glory.
