Uganda coach Morley Byekwaso admitted his side buckled under pressure. They suffered a humbling 3–0 defeat to Algeria in front of their home fans. This happened in the opening Group C match of the CHAN 2024.

The Cranes were outclassed from the outset. They conceded three goals. The team struggled to cope with Algeria’s sharp attacking play and compact structure during Monday’s game.

For Byekwaso, the performance revealed both mental and tactical shortcomings.

“We came in to give our best, but we failed in our defensive block and paid the price,” he said after the final whistle.

“The team was anxious. We couldn’t launch transitions, and the pressure was a decisive factor in the loss.”

Uganda’s defensive organisation crumbled early, with Ayoub Ghezala scoring from a set-piece.

Further goals from Abderrahmane Meziane and Soufiane Bayazid compounded the Cranes’ misery.

Despite a few promising moves, Uganda failed to convert their chances or match Algeria’s technical discipline.

“After the first goal, we collapsed emotionally. We missed chances, lost the ball cheaply, and failed to manage the game,” Byekwaso admitted.

“I believe we have good players. Now we must recover mentally, accept our mistakes, and work to improve before the next game.”

The coach acknowledged glaring issues, particularly in transition, aerial duels, and midfield control.

Despite having a tall squad, Uganda lost most headers and struggled to retain possession under pressure.

“The midfield lacked control, and we were too stretched. We need to tighten up and keep things simple,” he explained.

Still, Byekwaso insists the tournament is not over for his team. With two games left in the group stage, he believes Uganda can still qualify — but only if they correct their flaws quickly.

“We’ll talk to the players. We need more control of the game and must strengthen the midfield. We still have two matches to show our real character,” he said.

Uganda face a critical second match as they try to rescue their CHAN campaign.

While Algeria enjoy the comfort of three early points, the hosts must regroup and respond — or risk an early exit in front of their home fans.

-CAFonline

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Guinea began their African Nations Championship (CHAN) PAMOJA 2024 campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over regional rivals Niger on Monday at the Nelson Mandela National Stadium in Kampala.

The win was sealed by a second-half strike from Mohamed Bangoura II, who netted shortly after the restart following a VAR review.

It marked a cagey, often physical affair in which Guinea’s superior game management and defensive structure saw them over the line in this Group C opener.

In a repeat of their thrilling 2-2 draw at the 2016 edition, expectations were high for another open contest, but both sides approached the encounter with caution, especially in the early stages.

Guinea came into the match unbeaten in open play in their last seven CHAN games, while Niger sought to avoid a third straight tournament defeat.

The first half was scrappy and full of midfield tussles. Chances were few and far between, with long-range efforts from Lansana Sylla and Théodore Jules testing the goalkeepers but never truly threatening to break the deadlock.

The tempo was repeatedly broken by fouls, and the match saw five yellow cards dished out—three to Niger.

The breakthrough came just two minutes into the second half. Guinea winger Alhassane Bangoura whipped in a low cross from the left and Bangoura II reacted first, steering a composed right-footed finish into the bottom corner.

The assistant referee initially raised his flag, but after a brief VAR check, the goal was confirmed—sending the Syli Nationale bench into celebration.

Niger responded by throwing men forward, with substitute Abdoul-Latif Goumey coming closest to equalising with a looping header that went just wide in the 76th minute.

Ridouane Assane also tested the Guinea defence with a couple of long-range drives, while Bilal Oumarou’s deliveries from the flanks gave hope of a late comeback.

But Guinea remained resolute. Centre-back Mohamed Diabaté led a disciplined back line, while Ousmane Drame and substitute Ibrahima Sankhon added steel in midfield.

 Goalkeeper Ousmane Camara was rarely troubled, but he commanded his area well during a flurry of Niger corners in stoppage time.

Referee Mehrez Melki signaled eight added minutes, and Niger pushed desperately for an equaliser. A last-ditch effort by Ridouane Assane was blocked in the 96th minute, and when Abdoul Kassali was flagged offside with one final run, Guinea’s hard-earned three points were safe.

The result gives Guinea an early edge in a highly competitive Group C, which also includes hosts Uganda, Algeria, and South Africa. For Niger, it was a frustrating start to their fifth CHAN appearance, especially after a promising fourth-place finish in 2022.

Coach Harouna Doula’s men now face an uphill battle to keep their quarter-final hopes alive. Guinea, on the other hand, will look to build momentum as they chase another deep run in the tournament.

-CAFonline

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Morocco began their quest for a third African Nations Championship (CHAN) title with a solid 2-0 victory over Angola in the Group A opener at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi.

Imad Riahi’s spectacular long-range strike in the first half and a second-half own goal from Angola’s Kinito sealed a deserved win for the Atlas Lions in a contest they largely dominated.

The CHAN, which features only players plying their trade in their domestic leagues, saw Morocco once again demonstrate their pedigree in a tournament they have won twice—in 2018 and 2020.

With a revamped squad and high expectations, Morocco came into the match looking to extend their 13-match unbeaten run in the competition.

Head coach Tarik Sektioui’s side wasted no time asserting their authority, dictating the tempo from the outset.

After a few early chances and corners, Morocco broke the deadlock in the 29th minute.

A precise through ball from Mohamed Hrimat found Riahi, who made no mistake from outside the box, unleashing a powerful right-footed effort that beat Angolan goalkeeper Neblú at the centre of the goal.

The Atlas Lions continued to press for a second with Riahi, Anas Bach, and Marouane Louadni all forcing fine saves from Neblú in a flurry of attacks before the break.

Angola, who had never won an opening match in four previous CHAN appearances, responded with moments of danger, particularly through Jó Paciência and Aguinaldo Matias, but Morocco’s goalkeeper El Mehdi Al Harrar stood firm.

In the second half, the North Africans remained in control. Angola made several changes to inject life into their attack, but it was Morocco who doubled their advantage in the 81st minute.

Substitute Youness El Kaabi, making an instant impact, broke free down the left and saw his shot parried by Neblú into the path of Kinito, who inadvertently deflected the ball into his own net under pressure.

Despite some late attempts by Angola, including a long-range effort from Mafuta, Morocco’s defence remained resolute, with captain Hrimat marshalling the backline effectively.

The result extends Morocco’s unbeaten record in CHAN group stages and sends an early statement of intent to the rest of the competition.

Angola, meanwhile, are now winless in five CHAN matches and face an uphill task to qualify from a competitive Group A.

Morocco will next face tournament co-hosts Kenya, while Angola must regroup ahead of their clash with Zambia.

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