CHAN 2024: Uganda Carry East Africa’s Hopes After Kenya and Tanzania Crash Out

Uganda will take on Senegal in their CHAN 2024 quarter-final knowing they have to win not just for their nation but the region following Kenya and Tanzania’s elimination.

Having watched co-hosts Kenya and Uganda get eliminated on Friday, Uganda Cranes know that they will not just be playing for their home nation but for the region.

Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda who are co-hosting the 2024 African Nations Championships (CHAN 2024), had all gotten past the group stage and made it into the quarter-final but the first two are now out.

The Harambee Stars of Kenya were first to crash out on Friday after losing 4-3 on post-match penalties to Madagascar following a 1-1 draw in regulation time before Tanzania followed a few hours later when they suffered a 1-0 loss to Morocco in Dar es Salaam.

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Now, Uganda, who had a difficult time sealing a place in the last eight have the task of ensuring the ‘Pamoja’ flag keeps flying as they host Senegal in their quarter-final clash on Saturday.

Uganda Cranes Coach Counting on Home Support

Uganda have their work cut out as Senegal are the tournament’s defending champions and have proved to be hard to beat and the Cranes will need to be at their best to get past the West Africans.

“Tomorrow will be a very tough game, but we are prepared. It’s a special match for us because we are playing at home and want to bring joy to our fans,” Uganda coach Morley Byekwaso said at the pre-match press conference on Friday as quoted by Kawowo Sports.

“This is not a friendly — it’s a knockout game where we must show character and discipline. Senegal is experienced, they’ve been champions for the last two years, but with our fans behind us, we believe we can achieve victory.”

His Senegal counterpart Souleymane Diallo knows Uganda will want to make home advantage count but is confident of getting the result he needs.

Morocco Lies in Wait for Either Uganda or Senegal

“We know it will be a tough match. Uganda is well-organised and playing at home, which gives them an extra boost,” said Diallo.

“We faced them in a friendly in Tanzania, but this is different — a knockout game where there are only two options: win and move on, or lose and go home. We are ready to give everything.”

Uganda qualified for the quarter-final after topping Group C following a 3-0 win over Guinea, 2-0 win against Niger before a thrilling come from behind 3-3 draw with South Africa, having started with a 3-0 loss to Algeria.

Senegal, meanwhile, had five points after a 1-0 win over Nigeria followed by 1-1 and 0-0 draws with Congo and Sudan respectively. The winner of this clash have a semi-final date with Morocco.