Namboole Stadium, Monday Night, Uganda Cranes recorded their second successive victory in the CHAN 2024 Group C campaign with a hard-fought 2-0 win over Niger, keeping their hopes of advancing to the knockout stages firmly alive. The win sees Uganda climb to six points from three matches, setting up a potential group decider against South Africa on 18th August.
Head coach Morley Byekwaso maintained the same starting XI that convincingly beat Guinea 3-0 in the previous outing, and his charges once again repaid the faith with an energetic performance in front of a passionate home crowd.
The Cranes started on the front foot, creating early pressure and winning their first corner in the 2nd minute. The high tempo was briefly interrupted in the 7th minute when Joel Sserunjogi was booked for a foul.
The breakthrough came in the 20th minute after Enock Ssebagala delivered a dangerous cross from the left. Reagan Mpande’s attempted tap-in was blocked by a Niger defender, but in doing so, the ball struck his hand. Referee Ousmane Diakate of Mali consulted VAR before awarding a penalty.
Allan Okello stepped up, and although his initial spot kick was saved by goalkeeper Mahamadou Tandja, the playmaker reacted swiftly to slot home the rebound, sending the crowd into wild celebrations in the 25th minute.
Uganda nearly doubled the lead in the 32nd minute when Abdu Karim Watambala released Ssemugabi on the right, but the forward’s low effort whisked inches past the far post. Niger responded with a double substitution in the 35th minute, introducing Moussa Kassa and Samaila Danja to inject fresh energy.
The visitors almost leveled in the 40th minute through Latif Djibril, whose close-range attempt sailed just over the crossbar. Uganda held firm to take a deserved 1-0 lead into the break.
The Cranes resumed with the same attacking intent, and three minutes into the second half, Ssemugabi missed a good chance with a header from a Mpande cross.
In the 56th minute, Uganda found their cushion. Okello turned provider, slipping a clever pass to Joel Sserunjogi, who fired a precise strike into the net for 2-0. Moments later, Ssebagala was forced off with injury, replaced by Elvis Ngonde.
Niger made further changes in search of a way back, but the Ugandan backline, marshalled by a commanding Joel Mutakubwa in goal, remained resolute.
Byekwaso introduced fresh legs, with Patrick Kakande replacing Okello in the 75th minute, and later Ivan Ahimbisibwe and Usama Kiza coming on for Mpande and Ssemugabi in the final stages.
Mpande came closest to adding a third late on after a selfless pass from Ssemugabi, but his shot flew over the bar.
With six points from three games, Uganda will now turn their focus to a crucial final group fixture against South Africa on 18th August at Namboole. The Bafana Bafana will come into the match buoyed by their 2-1 win over Guinea earlier in the day – setting the stage for a potential group-deciding showdown.
