Uganda Cranes’ victory dance into the quarter finals
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I Spectators who thronged Mandela National Stadium Namboole, Kampala in their thousands saw history in the making as Uganda Cranes edged out South Africa’s Bafana Bafana in a 3-3 thriller.
The win helped Uganda clinch a historic place in the quarter-finals of the TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) PAMOJA 2024 after a pulsating 3-3 draw with South Africa in front of 34,194 fans at the Mandela National Stadium in Kampala on Monday night.
The point they garnered out of this draw, coupled with Algeria’s draw with Niger in the other Group C game, confirmed Uganda as group winners.
The Uganda Cranes needed just a draw to seal their place in the last eight. Uganda looked set to cruise through when Jude Ssemugabi finished off Patrick Kakande’s counter attack to put them ahead in the 31st minute.
The Cranes carried their lead into half-time and appeared in control, but couldn’t find the net until the final whistle.
The second half saw Bafana Bafana heighten their attacking skills to find the net three times, almost leading the Uganda Cranes into elimination.
But thee Cranes roared back when Ivan Ahimbisibwe earned a penalty in the 86th minute, which Allan Okello converted to bring back life into the game. At 3-2, the Cranes had their hope restored, knowing that they only had to level the game in order to cruise through.
Deep into stoppage time, Uganda won another spot kick after Menzi Masuku’s handball. Roger Torach was given the chance to fire Uganda through to the quarters and he expertly put the ball behind the net.
Unfortunately for South Africa, they skidded out on goal difference despite finishing level on six points with Algeria. Uganda finished top in Group C with seven points. South Africa, which garnered 6 points exited together with Guinea, with 4 points and Niger with 2 points. Algeria, with 6 points, advances together with the Cranes to the next round.
Uganda Cranes Progression into the CHAN knock out stages signals their first ever advance to that stage after seven failed attempts.
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