Table of Contents
- The Uganda vs Niger fixture played last night at Nelson Mandela Stadium ended with Cranes securing a controlled 2-0 victory
- Uganda, who suffered a 3-0 loss in their opening match of CHAN 2024 against Nigeria, have bounced back in style and are now eyeing a quarter-final place
The Uganda vs Niger fixture played last night at Nelson Mandela Stadium ended with Cranes securing a controlled 2-0 victory. Goals from Allan Okello and Joel Sserunjogi saw Uganda record back-to-back victories in the African Nations Championship (CHAN) for the first time in their history.
Uganda, who suffered a 3-0 loss in their opening match of CHAN 2024 against Nigeria, have bounced back in style and are now eyeing a quarter-final place. Cranes have won their last two matches without conceding a goal hence building the momentum needed to reach the knockouts of CHAN.
Uganda are eyeing a spot in the quarterfinals after two straight wins. Photo/ CAF Online.
ALSO READ: Nitacheza kama mimi! Ruto promises after impressive Kenya vs Morocco results
Cranes are now top of Group C on six points with one match left to play. Meanwhile, Niger could see their participation at CHAN 2024 come to an end in the group stages after losing two straight matches without scoring.
In another Group C fixture played on Monday, South Africa beat Guinea 2-1 to maintain their unbeaten start at the tournament. South Africa are third on the standings with four points in two games, behind Algeria who are second having also managed four points in two matches. Guinea are fourth with three points after three matches.
Uganda Vs Niger: How Uganda Won The Match
After a humbling defeat in their opening CHAN fixture, the Uganda vs Niger match was a must win for Cranes if they needed to be on the knockouts of the tournament.
Uganda used a 4-3-3 formation and started the match with purpose, attacking relentlessly. Head coach Morley Byekwaso stuck with the same squad that thrashed Guinea 3-0 last week.
Jude Ssemugabi almost gave the hosts the lead in the eleventh minute when Herbert Achayi’s beautiful cross found him in the box. Unfortunately, he headed the ball just wide.
The big moment of the first half came in the 20th minute when Adamou Djibo tripped Reagan Mpande in the box. A VAR review confirmed the foul and Allan Okello stepped up to take the penalty. However, Niger goalkeeper Mahamadou Tanja dived the right away to stop the ball from going in.
Uganda didn’t dwell on the miss and eventually took the lead barely two minutes later when Okello headed the ball home. They almost doubled the lead in the 32nd minute when Abdu Karim Watambala found Ssemugabi in a dangerous position but he somehow fired wide.
Niger made two substitutions in the first half and almost reduced the two-goal deficit on the stroke of half-time but Latif Djibril’s effort flew over the bar.
Cranes landed the final blow in the second half when Okello found Sserunjogi, who controlled the ball well before firing past the goalkeeper in the 56th minute.
ALSO READ: Algeria vs South Africa: Algeria held to a 1-1 draw
With a 2-0 lead, Uganda head coach Morley Byekwaso made a few tactical changes, including replacing Okello with Patrick Kakande. Arafat Usama and Ivan Ahimbisibwe were also brought in to strengthen the team as the clock ticked towards 90.
Uganda are top of Group C with six points after beating Niger 2-0 on Monday night. Photo/ Monitor.
Niger also made a few changes but were not lethal enough in front of goal. Mpande had a good chance to make it 3-0 late in the match but he couldn’t aim his shot low as the ball went over the bar.
Harouna Doulla’s team need a strong response in their remaining fixtures if they’re to avoid going home early. They’ll face South Africa on Friday, August 15, before wrapping up their Group C fixtures by clashing with Algeria on Monday, August 18. Meanwhile, Uganda will play their final group fixture against South Africa on Monday.
