Uganda Sent Packing from CHAN 2024 as East African Co-Hosts All Knocked Out

Uganda’s journey at the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) came to a painful conclusion on Saturday evening, as they fell 1-0 to Senegal in a pulsating quarter-final clash at the Nelson Mandela National Stadium in Kampala.

Senegal will go on to face Morocco in the first semifinal, set to be played at same venue on Tuesday, August 26.

The hosts had an early shot on target thanks to debutant Herbert Achayi, who curled a free kick that was tipped over the top by Marc Philips Arona Diouf.

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In the 14th minute, Uganda had a decent chance to take the lead. Achayi showed strength on the left and crossed for Arnold Odong, but his header hit the ground and bounced over the bar.

Senegal had a great chance from a free kick in the 28th minute when the dead-ball was sent towards Pape Badji, who just needed a touch to direct it home, but he couldn’t make contact.

At the other end of the pitch, Allan Okello and Jude Ssemugabi combined with a deft one-two to set up a good chance for the latter, but he decided to square for Okello instead of shooting and lost the ball.

There was a flurry of chances around the hour mark, starting with a free kick from Achayi that forced a save, before Abdul Karim Watambala attempted a long-range strike which went just wide.

Senegal responded with a double chance at the other end. A long ball forward fell for Daouda Ba, but he couldn’t find the target. Another attack a minute later gave Baye Assane Cisse a chance, but his shot was blocked.

Late on, substitute Ivan Ahimbisibwe, who came on for Enock Ssebagala, had a chance but his shot was blocked. Mugweri Kizito then went down in the box and appealed for a penalty, but nothing was given.

Uganda took the initiative to go forward just after the break as Joel Sserunjogi came close to breaking the deadlock three minutes into the second stanza, with a first-time low strike that missed the near post by inches.

With clear-cut chances hard to come by, substitute Oumar Ba snatched the lead for Senegal in the 62nd minute with a cracking curling shot from inside the box, with Joel Mutakubwa well beaten to make it 1-0.

Uganda were comfortable at the back, not showing the urgency to push forward, but they nearly paid for it as Allan Okello almost found an equalizer in the 75th minute with a powerful curling shot that crashed against the crossbar.

Uganda’s best chance of the second stanza arrived in the 80th minute but defender Herbert Achayi blasted over from inside the area.

Enock Ssebagala, who was non-existent throughout the game, failed to trouble Diouf from close range at full time and extra time followed.

Uganda XI: Joel Mutakubwa, Arnold Odong, Herbert Achayi, Jude Ssemugabi, Rogers Mkahi Torach, Reagan Mpande, Allan Okello, Mugweri Kizito, Joel Sserunjogi, Enock Ssebagala, Abdul Karim Watambala

Substitutes: Denis Kiggundu, Nicholas Mwere, Gideon Odongo, Elvis Ngonde, Ivan Ahimbisibwe, Patrick Kakande, Kiza Usama, Sentamu Junior Yunus, Lazaro Muhindo, Emmanuel Anyama, Chrispas Kusima, Shafik Nana Kwikiriza

Senegal XI: Marc Philips Arona Diouf, Seyni Nbaye Ndiaye, Moussa Cisse, Libaasse Gueye, Bonaventure Fonseca, Christian Gomis, Oumar Ba, Joseph Layousse Ifra Samb, Baye Assane Cisse, Daouda Ba, Pape Badji