Uganda Cranes return to Mandela National Stadium, Namboole, this evening, brimming with hope and determination to revive their CHAN 2024 campaign in a make-or-break Group C clash against Guinea.
Following a bruising 3-0 defeat to hosts Algeria in their opening game, the Cranes are now focused on redemption and reigniting their quest for a historic quarterfinal berth.
“We’ve put the first game behind us. Football has its ups and downs, but what matters is how you respond,” said coach Morley Byekwaso.
“The team is motivated, and we’re ready to give everything. We’ve addressed the key areas where we fell short, and the boys are in a good place mentally. We believe we can make the country proud again.”
That confidence is shared across the squad. Midfielder Abdul Karim Watambala emphasized the team’s hunger to learn from mistakes and push for qualification.
“We’re looking forward to the next game and avoiding the errors we made in the first. We trust the coach, and whoever is on the pitch gives their all. The main goal is to get out of the group and represent the country well,” said Watambala.
FUFA president Eng Moses Magogo called on fans to rally behind the team, reminding supporters that all is not lost.
“This is a competition, and we still have three more games in the group. If we win them, we can still advance. Our players need your support more than ever. They were disappointed with the Algeria result and want to make amends today. Let’s fill Namboole and push them to a win,” Magogo urged.
Injury woes
After Monday’s defeat, the Cranes held a recovery session on Tuesday at FUFA Kadiba Stadium, followed by an intense workout on Wednesday at Kyambogo grounds. While the technical team expressed satisfaction with the squad’s response, injuries continue to pose a challenge.
Jude Ssemugabi returned to training, but Emmanuel Anyama (KCCA) and Marvin Youngman (Vipers SC) have been ruled out, Anyama with a knock and Youngman nursing a hamstring injury.
Stadium logistics and fan experience
Ticket sales for today’s double-header are soaring again. However, organizers have promised a smoother fan experience after chaotic scenes on the opening match day. Many fans were denied entry with food and drinks, only to find no vendors inside the stadium.
Mark Namanya, spokesperson of the Local Organizing Committee, blamed the incident on miscommunication with CAF regarding canteen operations.
“I have to acknowledge that those issues were there…We don’t want to deny any fan food because there are two matches that will always be happening. It was unfortunate, and we’re working on it. This is a CAF event, and there was a miscommunication between us and CAF. They wanted to manage the canteen, but on Friday everything will be better. What happened will not happen again for the entire tournament because food and water is part of enjoyment,” Namanya assured.
Crunch time in Group C
Uganda currently sits at the bottom of Group C, making today’s game not just crucial, but essential for survival. This is Uganda’s seventh CHAN appearance (2011, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020, 2024), yet the Cranes have never progressed beyond the group stages.
A win over Guinea would not only restore confidence but also breathe life into the Cranes’ historic push for the quarterfinals. But Guinea will be no pushover. They arrive on the back of a 1-0 win over Niger and currently occupy second place in the group.
Known for their disciplined, organized play, the West Africans will look to consolidate their lead. Historically, the two nations have met nine times, with Guinea having a slight edge of three wins against Uganda’s 3 wins. The two nations have shared 2 draws, with Guinea also edging over goals scored at 13 against Uganda’s 10 goals.
Joke not with Guinea. They are way stronger than Uganda. I hope I am wrong.