Uganda Cranes Fall to Algeria in 2024 CHAN Opener

The Uganda Cranes suffered a disappointing 3-0 defeat against Algeria in their opening match of the 2024 Africa Nations Championship. The Desert Foxes showcased their tactical prowess and clinical finishing throughout the encounter.

By Chris Posiano

August 5, 2025 at 1:52 AM

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In a much-anticipated Africa Nations Championship encounter, the Uganda Cranes faced off against Algeria's Desert Foxes at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole. The match, which took place on Monday, saw Algeria emerge victorious with a 3-0 scoreline.

Both teams started cautiously, opting to build from the back. Algeria's Abdennour Belhocini and Zakaria Draoui posed an early threat on the right flank, testing the resilience of Uganda's defense. Despite some initial struggles, Uganda's Cranes gradually found their rhythm, with Joel Sserunjogi dictating play in the midfield.

However, Algeria's pressure paid off as Ayoub Ghezala broke the deadlock in the 35th minute, giving the Desert Foxes the upper hand. Uganda's defense appeared vulnerable, failing to respond effectively. Coach Morley Byekwaso made a tactical substitution at the start of the second half, introducing Karim Watambala in place of Jude Ssemugabi.

Uganda showed signs of improvement in the second half, with Allan Okello and Watambala providing pace and creativity. Watambala came close to equalizing in the 63rd minute with a near-post effort, but his shot narrowly missed the target. Despite these efforts, Algeria doubled their lead in the 76th minute as Meziane Abderrahmane found the back of the net with a powerful strike.

Algeria's dominance continued as substitute Soufine Beyazid added a third goal in the 79th minute, capitalizing on a defensive lapse by Uganda. The Desert Foxes capitalized on their opportunities, while Uganda's substitutions failed to make a significant impact on the match.

Uganda will now regroup and prepare for their next CHAN 2024 encounter against Guinea on Friday, August 8. The Cranes will be looking to bounce back from their opening defeat and secure a favorable position in their group.

With Algeria's victory, the Desert Foxes have set a strong tone for their campaign in the Africa Nations Championship. Their tactical discipline and clinical finishing will be key factors as they aim for success in the tournament.