CHAN: Allan Okello credits Uganda coach Byekwaso for Guinea win

Uganda national team attacking midfielder Allan Okello has praised the entire coaching staff led by coach Morley Byekwaso for their belief, insisting it boosted the players to deliver a resounding 3-0 victory against Guinea in their second fixture of the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) on Friday.

The Cranes went into the Group C battle having lost the opener 3-0 against Algeria. However, goals from Reagan Mpande, Okello and substitute Ivan Ahimbisibwe, breathed life into their qualification hopes at Nelson Mandela Stadium in Kampala.

“The coaches kept telling us we could still do it. They told us to fight until the last whistle. I feel good to be man of the match, but I credit all my teammates because we’ve done this together,” Okello, who was voted man of the match, said as quoted by FUFA media.

“We still have a long way to go because our competitors have four points, we have three, and we need to push to fulfil our dream of getting past the group stage. We thank the fans for always loving and supporting us. We promise to do our best so we can give them the happiness they deserve.”

The outcome lifted Uganda to second place in the standings on three points, behind leaders Algeria on goal difference, and left Guinea’s progress hanging in the balance. Earlier in the day, Algeria and South Africa battled to a 1-1 draw in the group fixture.

Uganda will next face Niger on Monday, before confronting South Africa on Friday.