CHAN: Uganda qualification dream still alive after Guinea mauling – Byekwaso

Uganda Cranes coach Morley Byekwaso has maintained their desire to qualify for the knockout stages of the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) remained alive following their resounding 3-0 victory over Guinea at Nelson Mandela Stadium in Kampala, Uganda on Friday.

Goals from Reagan Mpande, Allan Okello and substitute Ivan Ahimbisibwe sealed a first win of the CHAN for the hosts, who had opened Group C with a heavy 3-0 defeat to Algeria.

“We went back to the drawing board, made some changes in our line-up and performed better. It’s not yet over; we still have two games to play and our dream is still alive to go past the group stages,” Byekwaso told reporters after the game as quoted by FUFA media.

“I want to thank the fans for always coming in big numbers. What amazed me is that this time we had even more than in the first game. Fans put a little pressure on us but also motivated the players to keep going. I call upon them to continue supporting us until the very end.”

On why Allan Okello did not captain the side, Byekwaso said: “We saw the captain’s armband limiting Allan (Okello) from doing what he is capable of. We told Torach to take over the role and he has done really well. We can build from that.”

The result 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 winding up their preliminary matches against South Africa on Friday.