Uganda Cranes bounced back in emphatic fashion, crushing Guinea 3-0 at the Mandela National Stadium, Namboole, to get their CHAN 2024 campaign back on track.
This was Uganda’s second outing in the tournament, coming just days after they suffered a 3-0 defeat to Algeria at the same venue in their opening match.
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Head coach Morley Byekwaso rang the changes introducing Reagan Mpande, Herbert Achayi, Karim Watambala and Hillary Mukundane into the starting XI. The response from the players who did not start against Algeria was immediate sharper passing, better movement and more aggression in attack.
From the first whistle, Allan Okello pulled the strings in midfield, constantly prying open Guinea’s defence. His quick thinking set up Joel Sserunjogi from a corner routine, whose inch-perfect cross was nodded home by Mpande in the 30th minute to give Uganda the lead that sent the over 30,000 fans at Mandela Stadium into celebrations.
The Cranes had opportunities to extend their advantage before halftime, but Okello and Jude Ssemugabi failed to convert clear chances.
Guinea came out fighting after the break, forcing Uganda to defend deep. But in the 58th minute, Okello was tripped inside the box. Initially waved away, the incident was reviewed by VAR and a penalty was awarded. Okello stepped up and coolly slotted home to double the lead.
Guinea thought they had a way back into the game when they won a penalty midway through the second half, but VAR once again intervened, overturning the decision.
In stoppage time, Okello capped off a man-of-the-match performance by sliding a perfect pass into super-sub Ivan Ahimbisibwe, who finished clinically to seal the 3-0 win.
Uganda will now face Niger on Monday, August 11, knowing another victory could put them within touching distance of the knockout stages.
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