As the countdown to the TotalEnergies CHAN 2024 tournament continues, optimism runs high in the Uganda Cranes camp. Defender Gavin Kizito Mugweri and forward Emmanuel Anyama have shared their thoughts ahead of the tournament expressing confidence in the team’s potential to make history.
Experienced defender Gavin Kizito Mugweri believes playing on home soil will give Uganda the edge they need to break new ground at the tournament.
‘Playing from home gives us an advantage,’ said Kizito.
‘We will be having more support from the fans. We shall come out of the group stages for the first time with the fans behind us.’
The Cranes have never progressed beyond the group stage in previous CHAN tournaments but Kizito is hopeful this year will be different.
‘First of all, I want to contribute to the team to see that we come out of the group stages for the first time in the CHAN tournament and then we see what goes on.’
For forward Emmanuel Anyama, CHAN 2024 is a special milestone. The tournament marks his first call-up to the senior national team and he is determined to make the most of the opportunity.
‘It is by the grace of God that I have made it to the final squad,’ he said. ‘It takes a lot of determination and hard work. The target is to win. To be champions.’
Despite being a debutant, Anyama has set high expectations for himself.
‘This is my first summon and I am really grateful for making it,’ he added. ;The fans and everyone in the country should expect goals from me that can push the team to the next stage.’
Set to feature in the tournament for a seventh time, the Uganda Cranes have become regulars on the CHAN stage and is in Group C with Niger, Guinea, Algeria and South Africa.
We can’t wait for #TotalEnergiesCHAN2024 #UgandaCranes pic.twitter.com/e2asdhHGgz
— Uganda Cranes (@UgandaCranes) July 20, 2025
Final squad
