By Nabakiibi Doreen Malaika
Group Stage: From Humble Start to Historic Qualification
Match 1: Uganda vs Algeria (0–3 defeat)
The Cranes began their campaign on a shaky note, losing 3–0 at home to a strong Algerian side. Coach Morley Byekwaso acknowledged the gaps: “We did not play well and gave a lot of spaces to the opponents”.
Match 2: Uganda vs Guinea (3–0 victory)
Things turned around dramatically. Reagan Mpande broke the deadlock, Allan Okello sealed a goal via penalty, and Ivan Ahimbisibwe capped it with a fine finish.
Match 3: Uganda vs Niger (2–0 victory)
Uganda continued their resurgence, winning with composure—another sign of growing confidence and tactical maturity.
Match 4: Uganda vs South Africa (3–3 draw)
In a historic and dramatic finish, Uganda emerged from a 3–1 deficit to secure a 3–3 draw. Allan Okello converted a late penalty, and Rogers Torach completed the comeback deep into stoppage time—securing the Cranes’ first-ever progression to the CHAN quarter-finals as group leaders.
Quarter-finals: Narrow Exit Against Senegal
Quarter-finals vs Senegal (0–1 defeat)
Uganda’s inspiring run ended in a tightly contested loss to defending champions Senegal. A goal by Oumar Ba in the 62nd minute proved the difference, despite Uganda’s late efforts, including a near-miss by substitute Arafat Kizza.
Consistency and Resilience of the Fans
Throughout the tournament, one of the biggest highlights was the unwavering support of the Ugandan fans. From the first whistle to the last, they filled the stadiums with songs, drums, and chants, never losing hope even after setbacks. Their resilience and nonstop cheering lifted the Cranes, especially during the comeback against South Africa and the hard-fought quarter-final against Senegal. The players themselves acknowledged the role of the fans, calling them the “12th man” of the tournament.
Key Players Who Made the Difference
From dynamic midfield maestros to defensive stalwarts, several individuals stood out:
Joel Mutakubwa (Goalkeeper & Captain)
A commanding presence between the sticks, he kept clean sheets against Guinea and Niger, earned a Man of the Match award, and made crucial saves throughout.
Allan Okello (Midfield Orchestrator)
Uganda’s creative heartbeat. He scored key penalties, provided assists, and controlled tempo—especially influential in the comebacks and tightly contested matches.
Reagan Mpande (Forward/Engine)
The tireless winger’s goal against Guinea opened scoring, and his energetic pressing and movement unsettled defenses throughout the group stage.
Joel Sserunjogi (Dynamic Winger/Midfield)
A consistent presence, linking play intelligently. He contributed assists and goals, anchoring the transition from defence to attack.
Hillary Mukundane (Center-back)
The defensive backbone when available, providing positional discipline and aerial strength—missing him coincided with more vulnerable performances.
Karim Watambala
Although initially out of the starting eleven, his energy off the bench and key contributions—like setting up goals—made him a standout performer.
Challenges Faced Along the Way
Rough Start in Group Stage
The opening loss to Algeria exposed defensive and attacking frailties, casting early doubts.
Reliance on Domestic Form
Many squad members were performing in Uganda’s domestic league, but their club form didn’t always translate internationally (e.g., Allan Okello and Jude Ssemugabi underperformed early).
Defensive Vulnerabilities
Despite eventual success, defensive lapses were evident—particularly when Mukundane was absent and in high-pressure moments against strong opposition.
End Game Nerve in Knockout Round
In the quarter-final against Senegal, Uganda struggled to break a stubborn defence and missed opportunities despite pushing hard late in the game.
Summary Table
Stage Highlights
Group Stage Loss Defeat to Algeria revealed early shortcomings
Group Stage Wins Convincing wins over Guinea (3–0) and Niger (2–0) turned campaign around
Historic Qualification Dramatic 3–3 draw with South Africa sent Uganda to quarters
Quarter-Final Narrow 0–1 loss to Senegal ended the run amidst spirited performance
Top Performers Mutakubwa, Okello, Mpande, Sserunjogi, Mukundane, Watambala
Key Challenges Inconsistent form, defensive lapses, pressure in knockout stretch
Fans’ Role Nonstop cheering, resilience, and belief in the team
Final Takeaway
Uganda’s CHAN 2024 story was one of resilience and redemption. After a rocky start, the team rallied convincingly—winning crucial games, delivering dramatic comebacks, and earning their first-ever quarter-final place. The blend of leadership, creativity, defensive grit, belief on home soil, and the unbreakable spirit of Ugandan fans made it a landmark campaign. While the journey ended against a strong Senegal side, the experience, support, and the players who stepped up have laid a solid foundation for future success.
