Uganda cranes produced a masterclass performance as they whipped the National elephants of Guinea 3-0, in an epic group C clash of the 2024 TotalEnergies CHAN staged at the Nelson Mandela stadium in Namboole, Kampala, Uganda, last evening.
45,200 who filled the Namboole were treated to an electrifying atmosphere in the stadium from kick-off, in which the home side coach Morley Byekwaso resorted to a high-pressing game, making six changes from the squad which lost 3-0 to Algeria in the opening match.
Reagan Mpande put the hosts ahead in the 31st minute header, connecting Joel Sserunjogi pass to lead into the interval.
The cranes continued in the 2nd half from where they left off, suffocating the Guinea midfield, and they needed only 17 minutes for Allan Okello to extend their lead through a penalty before Allan Ahimbisibwe put the icing on the cake with a last-minute gasp goal via Ivan Ahimbisibwe.
Wild scenes of jubilation sparked at the Mandela National Stadium to welcome what is the Cranes’ first win at this TotalEnergies CHAN PAMOJA.
Uganda moved to 2nd in the group on 3 points, the same as Guinea, who lies 3rd, a point behind leaders Algeria, who settled for a 1-1 draw against South Africa in an earlier match of the day.
The co-hosts will return to their iconic Namboole stadium on the 11th, needing a victory to stand a chance of playing in the quarter-finals for the 1st time on their 7th CHAN appearance.
