CHAN: Senegal vanquishes last co-host as Uganda goes down in Kampala

All of the East African co-hosts are out at the quarterfinal stage of the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) after Senegal edged Uganda by a 1-0 score in Saturday’s opening clash at the Mandela National Stadium in Kampala.

Oumar Ba’s first goal of the tournament gave Senegal the lead soon after the hour mark, an advantage the Lions of Teranga would not relinquish. Excellent work from Libasse Guèye saw the Lions attacker accelerate out of trouble to the left wing where he cross fell kindly for Ba to control and fire low past Uganda goalkeeper Joel Mutakubwa.

It was a game of few clear opportunities. Both teams created half chances but failed to test Mutabkubwa and Senegalese keeper Marc Philips Arona Diouf, creating an atmosphere of tension where one mistake could make the difference.

Instead of a mistake, it was Guèye’s moment of brilliance that set up Senegal’s winner. A desperate charge from the Cranes of Uganda in the final half hour saw them create a couple of opportunities. However, defender Arnold Ndong somehow put his shot over the bar after Diouf spilled a tame long range effort to set up a goal mouth scramble.

The Cranes came close but could not find their goal to escape the fates of fellow co-hosts Kenya and Tanzania who fell on Friday. Defending champions Senegal will now face Morocco in the semifinal on August 26, also set to take place in Kampala.