CHAN: Uganda set sights on revival and history as they face Guinea

The Uganda Cranes are determined to reignite their campaign at the ongoing TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 with a spirited response against Guinea in their second Group C encounter, set for Friday night at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole.

Despite a tough start in the tournament with a 3-0 loss to North African giants Algeria, the Cranes remain focused and upbeat about their chances of bouncing back and bringing joy to the passionate home crowd.

With three group games still to play, optimism remains high in the Cranes camp as they aim to rewrite history and finally break their long-standing CHAN group stage jinx.

The biennial tournament—co-hosted by Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania offers Uganda a unique opportunity to advance past the group stages for the first time in their CHAN history, and the players are embracing that challenge with renewed spirit and belief.

Speaking during the pre-match press conference, Uganda Cranes head coach Morley Byekwaso remained positive and confident that his charges are ready to step up.

“We’ve put the first game behind us. Football has its ups and downs, but what matters is how you respond. The team is motivated, and we’re ready to give everything tomorrow,” Byekwaso stated. “We’ve addressed the key areas where we fell short, and the boys are in a good place mentally. We believe we can make the country proud again.”

Coach Byekwaso also appealed to fans for their unwavering support, emphasizing the power of a united home crowd.

“Our supporters mean everything to us. Yes, the first result was disappointing, but we urge fans to return in big numbers. We are still in this fight together, and their energy will lift the players. We promise to give them something to cheer about.”

The coach noted a few injury concerns with midfielder Emmanuel Anyama and Marvin Youngman being assessed for fitness, but confirmed the rest of the squad is fully prepared.

Third-choice captain and dependable defender Rogers Torach echoed the coach’s positivity, expressing the squad’s readiness and determination to turn things around.

“The team is fired up and focused. We know what is at stake and we are not dwelling on the past. Everyone is ready to fight for the badge. We want to make our fans proud and keep our dream alive,” said Torach.

Uganda’s last meeting with Guinea ended in a 1-0 win for the Cranes during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, a result that adds to the team’s belief as they prepare to face familiar opponents on Friday night under the Namboole lights.