By Prosper Gibolo
Football fans across the Karamoja Sub-region are jubilating the Uganda Cranes’ historic qualification for the quarterfinals of the African Nations Championship (CHAN 2024) for the first time after drawing with South Africa 3-3 at Namboole National Stadium, on Monday night.
Uganda Cranes’ recent two-game winning streak against Guinea 3-0, Niger 2-0 and a draw against South Africa, has propelled them to the quarter finals as Group C table leaders with 7 points.
Majembe Hajji Akorio, the director of Murygaz Company Limited, applauded the team, stating that the qualification of Uganda Cranes for CHAN has been long awaited.
He explained that football is a central uniting factor for all Ugandans, adding that this is the time for the Cranes to market themselves internationally.
“I have been watching the Uganda Cranes participate in the CHAN2024 championship for years and this is the first time they have progressed past the group stages”, said Hajji Majembe.
According to Majembe, the government would have declared today a public holiday for Ugandans to celebrate the win and the progress.
Christine Nadutu, the Nakapiripirit District Sports Officer (DSO), who could not contain her happiness praised the Uganda Cranes head coach Morley Byekwaso for the changes he made when the team was trailing 3-1 in the 80th minute.
She noted that the substitutions helped Uganda Cranes to amount pressure on South Africa leading to a 3-3 draw in the final minute of the game.
Like many Ugandans she was doubtful that the team would qualify but the win made her day, Nadutu said “adding that the quarterfinals qualification has reignited Cranes’ hopes of being serious title contenders”.
Although Uganda Cranes have advanced to the quarterfinals, Ambrose Okidi, the vice chairperson of Kotido District Football Association-(DFA) emphasized the need for the team to improve defense and build confidence among the players.
He said that in football, having a strong defense is very important for winning and a great way for teams to defend is through compact defending.
“The coaches should focus on helping players become better at defense by knowing the main ideas and using specific soccer drills. This means reducing the space and time the opponent has on the ball”, explained Okidi.
Uganda Cranes will face the defending champions Senegal on August 23rd, 2025, at Mandela National Stadium Namboole.
For the first time in a CAF competition, three co-hosts-Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda have all advanced to the quarter-finals, sending a powerful message of unity and ambition across East Africa.
The historic feat has added weight to the tournament’s “Pamoja” Spirit, a Swahili word meaning “together” with the three nations not only sharing hosting duties but also celebrating simultaneous on-field success.
This edition of CHAN is the first ever to be co-hosted by three countries and now, all three have stamped their place in the last eight.
Previously, Uganda had never passed the group stage, Tanzania had stumbled twice, and Kenya were tournament debutants.
Quarter-Final Fixtures
Friday, 22 August 2025
- 17:00 – Kenya v Madagascar (Moi Sports Centre Kasarani, Nairobi)
- 20:00 – Tanzania v Morocco (Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, Dar es Salaam)
Saturday, 23 August 2025
- 17:00 – Winners Group D v Algeria (Amaan Stadium, Zanzibar)
- 20:00 – Uganda v Runners-up Group D (Mandela National Stadium, Kampala)
Also read https://radioetoil.com/uganda-cranes-breaks-jinx-qualifies-for-chan-2024-quarter-finals/
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