The Mandela National Stadium in Kampala set the stage for another quarterfinal showdown in CHAN 2024, as Uganda faced Senegal under the late afternoon skies. In a match filled with nerves, midfield duels, and few clear chances, it was one moment of composure from Oumar Ba that sent Senegal into the semifinals with a narrow but priceless 1–0 victory.

Uganda started with energy, pressing Senegal’s backline and trying to use the flanks to create openings. By the third minute, Senegal had already shown their intent as Gueye cut inside from the right and forced a save from goalkeeper Mutakubwa, earning an early corner. Both teams settled into a cautious rhythm, unwilling to concede space. A temporary stoppage followed in the 7th minute as Senegal’s Ndiaye required treatment after a clash.

By the 13th minute, Senegal was trying to control the tempo but struggled to break through a disciplined Ugandan setup. Uganda, looking to grow into the match, nearly found a breakthrough in the 19th minute when their number 14 sent a cross just wide. A few minutes later, Okello drove down the right and whipped in a dangerous low ball, but Senegal’s defense was alert to clear for a corner.

In the 34th minute, Uganda came close again when Kizito found space and fired a low shot, only for Diouf to gather comfortably. It was one of the few bright moments for the Cranes. The first yellow card of the match came in the 39th minute when Achai cynically halted a counterattack. Another booking followed just before halftime for Senegal’s Cissé, and after three added minutes, the half ended goalless with neither side able to establish full control.

The second half resumed with Uganda looking livelier, pressing higher and attempting to overload Senegal’s flanks. But it was Senegal who struck first. In the 61st minute, a floated ball from the left found Oumar Ba inside the six-yard area. With composure and precision, Ba controlled it and slammed home the opener with his right foot. The away bench erupted in celebration as Senegal took a vital lead.

Uganda attempted to respond quickly but found Senegal’s defensive block difficult to penetrate. In the 66th minute, Ssebagala picked up a yellow card for a rough challenge in midfield, a reflection of the growing frustration in the Ugandan ranks. Still, the home side kept pushing, circulating the ball but finding no gaps in a compact Senegalese setup.

By the 75th minute, the game was bogged down in midfield. Uganda had possession but couldn’t progress past the wall of green shirts. Senegal, on the other hand, was happy to sit deep and spring on the counterattack. Layousse had a golden chance in the 80th minute to seal the win, sprinting down the left and shooting just wide with his left foot.

As the clock ticked into the final ten minutes, urgency gripped Uganda. They piled bodies forward but lacked the precision needed to carve out clear openings. Senegal, poised and tactically disciplined, saw the game out with maturity. Four minutes of stoppage time were added, but there would be no late drama.

At full-time, it was Senegal who emerged victorious. Oumar Ba’s strike proved enough to separate the two sides and send the Teranga Lions into the CHAN 2024 semifinals. For Uganda, it was a painful exit on home soil.

This result also marks a broader heartbreak for East Africa, as Uganda became the third and final co-host to crash out of the tournament. With Tanzania and Kenya both eliminated in their respective quarterfinals the day before, it has turned into a triple tragedy for the region. The dream of an East African triumph at home has been extinguished.