The Uganda Cranes reignited their African Nations Championship (CHAN) campaign in emphatic fashion, thrashing Guinea 3-0 in their second Group C match at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole, on Friday evening.
Coming into the clash under pressure after a disappointing 3-0 defeat to Algeria in their opening game on Monday, coach Morley Byekwaso’s men responded with a performance full of intensity, discipline, and attacking flair.
The result not only restored belief among the players and fans but also lifted Uganda into second place in the group standings.
Tactical Shifts Pay Off
Byekwaso’s pre-match decisions proved decisive. The coach made notable changes to his starting lineup, introducing Herbert Achai, Abdulkarim Watambala, Reagan Mpande, and Hillary Mukundane. These fresh legs injected energy and a new tactical dimension into Uganda’s play.
Another key move was the captaincy change, Allan Okello was relieved of the armband, with his deputy Rogers Torach taking over leadership duties. Ironically, Okello responded with a man-of-the-match display, directly influencing all three of Uganda’s goals.
Okello Pulls the Strings
The breakthrough came in the 30th minute. Okello started a cleverly worked free kick, slipping the ball to Joel Sserunjogi, whose pinpoint cross was met by Mpande’s towering header to give Uganda the lead.
Okello doubled the advantage from the penalty spot in the 60th minute after he was brought down inside the box. Initially, the referee waved play on, but a VAR review overturned the decision and awarded the spot-kick, which Okello calmly dispatched.
Guinea thought they had a lifeline moments later when the referee pointed to the spot for a foul by Achai. However, another VAR check reversed the call, much to the relief of the home fans.
The Cranes sealed the victory in the 80th minute when substitute Ivan Ahimbisibwe finished off a slick move involving Okello and Watambala, slotting home to make it 3-0 and send the crowd into raptures.
Group C Standings Heat Up
With the win, Uganda moved to second in Group C on three points, behind Algeria on four. Guinea and South Africa sit third and fourth with three and one point respectively, though Niger and South Africa each have a game in hand.
Byekwaso stated that: “We Handled the Game Well” He also hailed his team’s resilience and focus.
“The mentality of the players was good, and we handled the game well. We didn’t give our opponents any chance. We expect to build from this in our next game,” he said.
The coach also hinted at an unusual source of motivation — a recent meeting with President Yoweri Museveni and First Lady Janet Museveni, who is also the Minister of Education and Sports. According to Byekwaso, the discussion addressed the team’s poor showing against Algeria and may have sparked the renewed determination seen on the pitch.
Uganda will next face Niger on Monday in what could be a decisive fixture for their quarterfinal hopes.
