Uganda moved to the summit of Group C at the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) PAMOJA 2024 with a composed 2–0 victory over Niger at the Nelson Mandela National Stadium, Kampala, on Monday night.
The result marked their second win in as many matches, keeping them firmly on course for a quarter-final berth.
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Allan Okello, who had earlier seen a penalty saved, opened the scoring in the 25th minute with a close-range header before setting up Joel Sserunjogi to seal the points just before the hour mark.
The win followed South Africa’s 2–1 triumph over Guinea earlier in the day, leaving Uganda on six points from three games, ahead of Algeria (four points, two games) and South Africa (four points, two games). Guinea sit on three points while Niger remain bottom without a point.
Uganda’s bright start was rewarded when Reagan Mpande was fouled in the box, but Okello’s penalty was saved by Mahamadou Tanja. Moments later, the forward made amends with a poacher’s header.
Niger threatened sporadically, with Mohamed Abdouramane forcing saves from Joel Mutakubwa, but Uganda’s defensive unit, marshalled by Gavin Kizito and Hilary Mukundane, held firm.
The decisive second came in the 56th minute when Okello carried the ball forward and slipped a pass to Sserunjogi, who rifled his shot into the top corner.
Coach Morley Byekwaso’s tactical changes, including introducing Elvis Ngonde and Patrick Kakande, helped preserve the lead and secure a second consecutive clean sheet.
Earlier in Kampala, South Africa reignited their campaign with a hard-fought 2–1 win over Guinea.
Neo Maema struck in the 10th minute after a clever link-up with Thabiso Kutumela, but Moussa Camara levelled for Guinea before half-time. Kutumela restored Bafana Bafana’s lead in the 54th minute, meeting Wayde Jooste’s cross with a precise finish.
Guinea pressed for an equaliser, with late chances for Mohamed Diabate and Cheick Camara, but goalkeeper Samukelo Xulu and a disciplined South African backline held out. Coach Molefi Ntseki’s tactical substitutions proved vital as Bafana Bafana climbed off the foot of the table to stay in contention.
With one match left, Uganda’s fate is in their own hands, while South Africa’s victory keeps their knockout hopes alive.
Guinea, meanwhile, face a must-win scenario in their final group fixture, and Niger’s tournament survival now hangs by the thinnest of threads.
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