KAMPALA, UGANDA Mandela National Stadium, August 23, 2025
Uganda’s fairy-tale run at the Total Energies African Nations Championship (CHAN) PAMOJA 2024 came to a heart-breaking end on Saturday night, as the Cranes bowed out with pride, losing narrowly to defending champions Senegal 1-0 in a tense quarter-final showdown in Namboole. Oumar Ba’s 62nd-minute strike proved decisive, extinguishing Uganda’s hopes of reaching the semi-finals for the first time in history. But for many, this was more than a defeat.
It was a moment of awakening a statement that Ugandan football is entering a new chapter. Uganda had never reached the knockout stages in six previous CHAN appearances, and for head coach Morley Byekwaso, this was uncharted territory.
But in front of over 35,000 passionate home fans, his side went toe-to-toe with a Senegalese team that oozed experience, composure, and tournament pedigree. From the first whistle, Uganda showed they weren’t just there to participate they came to compete. Midfield maestro Allan Okello, the standout performer throughout the tournament, nearly gave the Cranes the lead with a venomous shot late in the first half, drawing a fine save from Senegal keeper Marc Diouf.
Despite being edged out, Uganda had more shots and showed more attacking intent, but they paid the price for lacking a clinical touch in front of goal. The defining difference between the two sides was sharpness in the final third.While Oumar Ba’s smart finish after ghosting in at the back post showed Senegal’s efficiency, Uganda’s forwards were left ruing missed opportunities.
Substitute Ivan Ahimbisibwe injected urgency into the attack and had two golden chances to equalise, only to be denied by Diouf and a scrambling backline. In the 68th minute, the Mandela National Stadium held its breath as Gavin Kizito rose highest to meet an Okello corner. His header, however, sailed inches wide, with the keeper rooted to the spot.
Later, Arnold Odong let fly from distance in added time, but again Diouf stood tall. Uganda created enough to win the game but lacked the ruthlessness that defines champions. It wasn’t just Ba’s goal that decided the match it was Senegal’s game management, particularly in the final 20 minutes. The defending champions absorbed Uganda’s pressure without panicking.
Centre-backs Seyni Ndiaye and Joseph Layousse were a wall at the back, while coach Souleymane Diallo’s substitutions gave fresh legs and controlled the midfield battle in key moments. This is a Senegal team that understands what it takes to win, and they executed their game plan with clinical precision.
Despite the result, Uganda’s CHAN 2024 journey will be remembered as a turning point.From topping a difficult group featuring hosts Algeria and South Africa, to battling bravely against Africa’s best, the Cranes earned new respect across the continent. Allan Okello’s three goals, Milton Karisa’s leadership, Ssemugabi’s tireless running, and the emergence of young talents like Kizito and Odong have given Ugandans genuine reasons for optimism ahead of the 2026 AFCON and World Cup qualifiers. “We fell short, but I am proud of my boys,” said coach Byekwaso post-match. “This team has character, and this tournament was just the beginning.
We will learn from this, and we will come back stronger.” If there was a standout outside the pitch, it was the Ugandan fans. From chants of “Tusaba Gavumenti Etuyambe” to the roar that greeted every forward move, the Mandela National Stadium became a cauldron of noise and national pride. Even in defeat, the crowd applauded the Cranes off the pitch — a rare moment of unity that underscored what this team had given the country: hope. As Senegal now march into a semi-final clash with Morocco, Uganda exits CHAN 2024 with heads held high. There is no shame in losing to the champions especially after giving them such a stern test. For the Uganda Cranes, this is not the end, but a beginng. A sign that with investment, unity, and belief, Ugandan football can finally step onto the continental stage with confidence.
story https://www.cafonline.com/
