Uganda’s hopes of a fairytale run at the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) were dashed on Saturday night after a solitary strike from Oumar Ba condemned the hosts to a 1-0 defeat against defending champions Senegal at a fully packed Namboole Stadium.
The contest had all the tension of knockout football, with both sides trading early punches but failing to land the killer blow in a cagey first half. Uganda looked the brighter outfit in the opening exchanges, with Reagan Mpande and Abdul Karim Watambala buzzing around Senegal’s backline, but their industry was betrayed by a blunt final touch.
Senegal, slow to settle, gradually asserted their authority in midfield. Their patience was rewarded in the 62nd minute when a defensive lapse inside the Cranes’ box allowed Oumar Ba to pounce. With composure, he slid the ball beyond goalkeeper Joel Mutakubwa, silencing the raucous home crowd.
The goal forced Uganda into a desperate chase. Coach Milutin “Micho” Sredojević rolled the dice, throwing on Patrick Kakande, Yunus Ssentamu and Kizza Usama in search of an equalizer. The substitutes injected urgency, but Senegal’s disciplined rearguard held firm, swatting away waves of pressure.
By the final whistle, the roar of 34,202 fans had given way to a stunned silence. Uganda, who had dared to dream of going deeper into the tournament, bowed out against a side that showed the pedigree of champions.
For the Cranes, the heartbreak at CHAN now shifts focus to redemption — with World Cup qualifiers looming next month, they must quickly regroup and channel the pain of Namboole into fuel for their next battle.