Uganda Cranes kept their African Nations Championship hopes alive with a decisive 3-0 win over Guinea at Mandela National Stadium in Kampala.
Three goals and three points pulled Uganda back into the race in Group C of the 2024 TotalEnergies CHAN. Reagan Mpande scored with a first-half header in the 31st minute. Allan Okello doubled the lead from the penalty spot in the 62nd. Ivan Ahimbisibwe sealed the result with a late strike in the 89th.
Coach Morley Byekwaso made six changes before kickoff, including a late switch in goal. Joel Mutakubwa replaced Denis Kiggundu.
Guinea threatened first. In the 7th minute, Mutakubwa stopped a close-range header from Cabinet Kouayate. The follow-up corner found Drame, who headed just wide.
Uganda settled into the game. Passing in the final third was often wasteful, but on the half-hour mark, a move from the training ground broke the deadlock. Okello combined with Joel Sserunjogi to find Mpande, who lost his marker and headed past goalkeeper Camara.
Okello stayed at the center of Uganda’s attacks. In the 40th minute, he beat captain Mohamed Bangoura on the left but his weaker right-footed cross missed Ssemugabi in the box. Just before halftime, a poor Guinea pass left Okello with a free run on goal, but his shot lacked the power and accuracy to beat Camara.
Uganda returned from the break with the same urgency. Hilary Mukundane earned the game’s first yellow card after a tackle on Alhassane Bangoura. Moments later, Okello was fouled by Bashir Bangoura. Initially, the referee waved play on, but a video review led to a penalty. Okello scored, sending the ball low to the left as Camara dived the same way.
Guinea coach Soulaymane Camara responded with three substitutions. Within minutes, they had a penalty appeal of their own when Mohamed Lamine Youla went down in the box. VAR ruled against it.
Bashir Bangoura came close in the 77th minute, firing just wide. But Uganda’s defense held firm. Byekwaso replaced Mpande with Ahimbisibwe, who scored in stoppage time to confirm the victory.
The win was Uganda’s first of the tournament. They will play Niger next. Guinea faces South Africa. Earlier in the day, South Africa drew 1-1 with Algeria, who lead Group C with four points.
