Uganda Cranes delivered a statement performance at the Mandela National Stadium with a dominant 3-0 win over Guinea to boost their chances of progressing from Group C at the ongoing African Nations Championship (CHAN). In the other group clash, South Africa held tournament favourites Algeria to a 1-1 draw in a spirited return to the competition after more than a decade away.

Uganda 3-0 Guinea: Cranes Fly High in Kampala

Uganda’s Cranes showed maturity, efficiency and a clinical edge as they overwhelmed Guinea in front of a buoyant home crowd in Kampala. Reagan Mpande opened the scoring in the 31st minute before Allan Okello and Ivan Ahimbisibwe added goals in the second half to secure a crucial three points for Morley Byekwaso’s Men.

The early minutes of the match offered little in terms of attacking threat, as both sides took a cautious approach, with the first quarter hour dominated by midfield exchanges and minimal goalmouth action. Guinea looked slightly more enterprising around the 15th minute mark, but were still far from troubling Ugandan goalkeeper Nafian Alionzi.

Uganda began to assert themselves midway through the half, and their pressure paid off on the half-hour mark. Joel Sserunjogi delivered a pinpoint corner, met expertly by Reagan Mpande whose header left Guinea’s Ousmane Camara with no chance. It was a deserved lead that energized the hosts further.

Despite leading, Uganda maintained the pressure. Alhassane Bangoura narrowly missed doubling the advantage with a powerful strike that flew just wide, as the Cranes headed into halftime with momentum firmly on their side.

The second half saw Uganda continue their dominance. Hilary Mukundane received the match’s first yellow card early on, but that did little to slow the hosts’ rhythm.In the 59th minute, Uganda were awarded a penalty following a VAR review after Allan Okello was brought down inside the box. Okello stepped up and calmly converted from the spot three minutes later to double the lead.

Guinea responded immediately with a wave of substitutions in the 65th minute, bringing on Mohamed Ali Kamara, Ismael Camara and Mohamed Youla in place of Yacouba Barry, Lansana Sylla and Mohamed Bangoura. In the 74th minute, they introduced Cheick Camara for Alhassane Bangoura, followed by a fifth change in the 82nd minute as Mohamed Boké Camara replaced Mohamed Diabaté.

Uganda also made changes to manage the final stages of the match. In the 80th minute, Ivan Ahimbisibwe and Patrick Kakande came on for Jude Ssemugabi and Reagan Mpande. In the 89th minute, Ahimbisibwe made an instant impact. A corner delivery from Karim Watambala found the substitute, who finished confidently with his left foot to seal the victory.

During added time, Allan Okello made way for Usama Arafat in a final change for the hosts.

The win propels Uganda to second place in Group C, tied on three points with Guinea but with a superior goal difference, giving them a significant advantage heading into their next fixture against South Africa.

South Africa 1-1 Algeria: Kutumela’s Strike Halts Algeria’s Run

In the other Group C match played in Kampala, South Africa marked their return to CHAN with a hard-earned 1-1 draw against a strong Algerian side that had opened their campaign with a commanding win over Uganda.Algeria looked to continue their winning form and controlled much of the first half. Their pressure was rewarded in the 29th minute when Abdennour Belhocini capitalized on a loose ball outside the box and fired a powerful low shot past Samukelo Xulu to give the Fennecs the lead.

But Bafana Bafana, showing determination and grit, responded just before halftime. A well-worked move involving Menzi Masuku and Neo Maema set up Thabiso Kutumela, who finished with composure from inside the box to level the match in the 45th minute.

The equaliser disrupted Algeria’s momentum and gave the South Africans renewed belief in the second half.

Both teams sought the winner after the break, with Algeria’s duo of Meziane and Mahious probing dangerously, while South Africa created opportunities through Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo and Matlhari Makarine. Defensive discipline, however, took centre stage, with Ramahlwe Mphahlele marshalling the Bafana backline effectively.

Several substitutions slowed the tempo and introduced tactical uncertainty, while yellow cards for Kwandakwensizwa Mngonyama and Mehdi Merghem reflected the match’s growing tension.

In the end, both teams had to settle for a point, leaving the group finely balanced.

With two rounds played, Algeria remain top of Group C with four points. Uganda sit second with three points and a goal difference of plus two. Guinea also have three points but fall to third due to their negative goal difference after the heavy defeat. South Africa are fourth with one point, while Niger remain bottom without a point.