CHAN 2024: Uganda and South Africa Shine as Group C Race Heats Up
As the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 heats up, Group C has become a battleground for teams vying for a spot in the knockout stages. In an instense day of action in Kampala, Uganda and South Africa both secured vital victories, dramatically altering the landscape of the group. Uganda’s 2-0 win over Niger marked their first back-to-back wins in CHAN history, while South Africa’s hard-fought 2-1 triumph against Guinea breathed new life into their campaign.
Uganda Beats Niger to Go Top of Group C
Uganda climbed to the top of Group C with a commanding 2-0 victory over Niger at Nelson Mandela National Stadium. This win marks Uganda’s first back-to-back victories in the African Nations Championship (CHAN) history, putting them in a strong position for a quarter-final spot.
Allan Okello was the standout performer, scoring the opening goal just two minutes after seeing a penalty saved. Joel Sserunjogi sealed the points with a powerful finish just before the hour mark. With this victory, Uganda secured six points from three matches, ahead of Algeria and South Africa, both on four points, while Niger remains at the bottom without a point.
Uganda started the match with purpose, creating opportunities early on. After Okello’s initial penalty miss, he quickly recovered to head home the opener in the 25th minute. Sserunjogi’s goal showcased Uganda’s effective transition play, with Okello assisting from midfield.
The team’s defensive discipline was evident, as they maintained a clean sheet for the second consecutive match. Head coach Morley Byekwaso praised his players for their tactical discipline and resilience, emphasizing the importance of this victory in their quest for a quarter-final berth.
Maema and Kutumela Lift South Africa Past Guinea in Kampala Thriller
In another pivotal match earlier on the same day, South Africa secured a vital 2-1 victory over Guinea, breathing new life into their CHAN campaign. Goals from Neo Maema and Thabiso Kutumela propelled Bafana Bafana off the foot of Group C, setting the stage for a thrilling contest.
Maema opened the scoring in the 10th minute with a composed finish, but Guinea quickly equalized through Moussa Camara just before halftime. South Africa regained control in the second half, with Kutumela scoring the decisive goal in the 54th minute, showcasing his growing influence in the squad.
Despite Guinea’s late push for an equalizer, South Africa’s defense held firm, with goalkeeper Samukelo Xulu making crucial saves to preserve the lead. The result lifts South Africa to four points, putting them in contention for qualification, while Guinea’s hopes are now hanging by a thread with only one point.
As Group C continues to unfold, Uganda leads the pack, while South Africa’s victory adds intrigue to the qualification race. With one match remaining for most teams, the outcome of the next fixtures will be crucial in determining who advances to the knockout stages of the tournament.
