Co-hosts Uganda started their African Nations Championship (CHAN) with a 0-3 loss to Algeria at a packed Nelson Mandela National Stadium in Kampala on Monday evening.
Goals from Ayoub Ghezala, Abderrahmane Meziane and Soufiane Bayazid sealed the win for the North African giants who have been touted as one of the favorites in the tournament.
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Algeria broke the deadlock in the 36th minute when a well-delivered corner from Meziane found Ayoub Ghezala at the near post, and the midfielder’s glancing header beat goalkeeper Joel Mutakubwa at his near post.
Uganda emerged with more urgency in the second half, but Algeria’s composure and compactness proved difficult to breach and struck on the counter for their second. Meziane doubled the advantage in the 76th minute with a cool left-footed finish after a clever lay-off from Messalla Merbah.
Just three minutes later, Bayazid put the result beyond doubt, slotting home from close range after good build-up play by Naoufel Khacef.
The result marks Algeria’s third consecutive win over Uganda at CHAN, extending their unbeaten group stage record in the competition to seven matches. For Uganda, it was a sobering return to familiar struggles, as their hunt for a first-ever knockout appearance at CHAN continues.
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