Where passion meets purpose, it is the fans who breathe life into the beautiful game. Their cheers echo louder than any whistle, their presence turning stadiums into sanctuaries of dreams.
Without fans, sport is just motion, no emotion, no fire. They are the pulse that keeps the game alive, lifting teams with cheers, challenging with critiques, and standing tall in both triumph and tears. Whether rallying resources or roaring from the terraces, fans turn matches into memories and moments into magic.
As East Africa hosts the 2024 TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN), a precursor to the AFCON 2027 tournament, the different fans are ready and roaring to support their respective teams in the box.
For Uganda Cranes winger Arafat Usama, the power of fans in a tournament like CHAN is crystal clear.
“Fans are an added advantage. We need them,” Usama told the media at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole training ground on Tuesday afternoon.
Usama, a left-footed winger who features at KCCA Football Club in the StarTimes Uganda Premier League, is humbled for being among the pool of players who made the 25-man final squad.
“It is a blessing to be part of the team,” he smiled. “This is a result of hard work and I am ready to give my best in the championship.”
Usama has set personal and team targets at CHAN 2024.
“We are working towards qualification out of the group. Personally and as a team, we believe that we can make it,” Usama confidently stated.
Joining Usama in the plea to fans is now his teammate at KCCA FC Ivan Ahimbisibwe, who recently signed from Uganda Premier League side URA FC.
Ahimbisibwe, who scored 16 goals last season earned his place in the Cranes’ CHAN squad through consistent form, emphasized the importance of home support as Uganda prepares to face top-tier continental opposition.
“We are well-prepared and ready to compete, and having our fans behind us will push us even harder,” Ahimbisibwe shared. “I call upon all Ugandans to come in big numbers and fill Namboole. Your presence gives us energy, belief, and confidence.”
Reflecting on the recent Trination Invitational Tournament experience in Arusha Tanzania, where Uganda played against Tanzania and Senegal, Ahimbisibwe described it as a pivotal step in their preparation.
“Those games were a great learning curve. We faced different styles of play, and that exposed us to what we expect at CHAN. It helped us bond more as a team and sharpen our tactical discipline,” he added.
Promising to give his all, Ahimbisibwe assured the fans of committed performances.
“Personally, I promise to deliver. I’ve prepared well, and I’m hungry to score and contribute to the team’s success. With the fans beside us, we can achieve something special together at home,” he declared.
Uganda is pooled in Group C alongside two West African countries Guinea and Niger, North African giants Algeria, and Southern Africa’s South Africa.
Niger became the first team to arrive in Uganda, touching down at Entebbe International Airport on Tuesday, 29th July 2025.
Uganda Cranes open their campaign against Algeria on Monday, 4th August 2025, followed by a clash with Guinea on Friday, 8th August.
The third game comes on Monday, 11th August against Niger, and the final group stage encounter will be against South Africa on Monday, 18th August all at the Mandela National Stadium, Namboole under floodlights.
CHAN 2024 – Uganda Cranes Group C Fixtures (All at Namboole, 8:00 PM):
Monday, 4th August: Uganda vs Algeria
Friday, 8th August: Guinea vs Uganda
Monday, 11th August: Uganda vs Niger
Monday, 18th August: South Africa vs Uganda
The CHAN tournament, now in its 8th edition, features players solely from domestic leagues and will be played from 2nd to 30th August 2025 across Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, a first-ever tri-nation hosting that underlines East Africa’s growing football credentials.
Training session – Tuesday 29th July 2024
