The Uganda Cranes kept their African Nations Championship push alive with a 2-0 win over Niger on Monday, climbing to the top of Group C at the Nelson Mandela National Stadium in Kampala.
Allan Okello scored the opener in the 25th minute after his penalty was saved but he followed up to head in the rebound. He then set up Joel Sserunjogi for the second, sealing Uganda’s second straight win.
The result puts Uganda on six points, two ahead of Algeria and South Africa, who have a game in hand.
The home crowd was loud and restless early. Around the 20th minute, the Video Assistant Referee flagged a foul when Niger’s Admou Djibo tangled with Reagan Mpande in the box. Okello stepped up, his shot low and saved by Mahamadou Tanja. The keeper’s stop lasted only seconds before Okello nodded in the loose ball.
Niger moved the ball well in midfield but failed to trouble Joel Mutakubwa in the Ugandan goal.
Uganda struck again in the 56th. Abdul Karim Watambala won possession, turned past two defenders and sent Mpande down the left. His cross went long, Okello collected it and rolled a pass back to Sserunjogi, whose first-time shot curled past Tanja.
The Cranes lost Ssebagala to injury soon after, replaced by Elvis Ngonde.
With two wins from three games, Uganda control their own path to the quarterfinals. They face South Africa on August 18. Niger, beaten twice without scoring, must win against South Africa on Friday and Algeria four days later to stay alive.
Okello now has two goals and an assist in the tournament. Sserunjogi’s finish adds to his tireless work on the wing.
For Niger, the lack of edge in the box — and the penalty call that shifted the mood — leaves them bottom of the group and looking for answers.
