Uganda’s national football team bounced back in spectacular fashion on Monday night, defeating Niger 2-0 at a packed Nelson Mandela Stadium in Kampala during the ongoing CHAN 2024 tournament.
This vital victory brought new life to Uganda’s campaign after a tough 3-0 loss in their opening match. Thanks to a strong tactical plan by head coach Morley Byekwaso and a standout performance by Allan Okello, the Cranes now have renewed hopes of advancing past the group stage.
Midfielder Allan Okello was the star of the match. He scored Uganda’s first goal in the 25th minute and then set up the second just 11 minutes into the second half.
Even though Niger had better ball possession, more passes, and higher accuracy, it was Uganda that made their chances count.
“Business is done in the final third. It’s not about passing stats; it’s about scoring goals,” said one local fan after the match.
fter a heavy defeat in their opener, Coach Byekwaso made key changes. His strategy focused on defensive discipline, team motivation, and giving creative players like Okello more freedom.
“We started the tournament poorly, but we didn’t lose focus,” said Byekwaso.
“We fixed our defense, encouraged our captains, and gave the playmakers room to play. Defending well and taking your chances is key in tournaments.”
His new approach not only silenced Niger’s attack but also allowed Uganda to be more effective on the counter.
With South Africa up next, Uganda faces a crucial test. Byekwaso said the team must remain sharp and aware of their next opponent’s strength.
“South Africa are dangerous in the final third. They know how we play. We must be smart, avoid mistakes, and build on this win.”
A victory against South Africa could secure Uganda a spot in the knockout stage.
For Niger, the loss was a major setback. The team has now failed to score in two straight matches, and head coach Harouna Doula Gabde admitted the team lacked attacking strength.
“We haven’t been able to trouble our opponents. Uganda’s first goal made it harder for us. We need to fix our attack and make better use of our chances,” Doula said.
He also questioned the referee’s penalty decision and stressed the need to regroup ahead of tough upcoming matches against South Africa and Algeria.
With this win, Uganda now sits in a strong position in their CHAN group. Another win could send them through to the quarterfinals.
Niger, on the other hand, faces an uphill battle. Without quick improvements, they risk early elimination from the tournament.
