The stage is set. Uganda’s journey in the 2025 TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) has become even more intriguing following the finalization of Group C, a pool now confirmed to feature regional heavyweights Algeria, South Africa, Guinea, Niger, and the Uganda Cranes themselves.
The championship, which kicks off this August, will be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, bringing the continental football spectacle closer to home for local fans.
The final composition of Group C was sealed over the weekend after Algeria and South Africa booked their tickets in emphatic fashion.
In Annaba, Algeria showcased their championship credentials with a commanding 3-0 victory over Gambia, completing the tie with the same scoreline on aggregate. After a goalless first leg in Banjul, the North Africans were in no mood for surprises at home.
Adil Boulbina, a rising star in the Algerian league was the man of the moment, netting a brilliant brace.
His goals, combined with a fine finish from Abderrahmane Meziane, not only ensured progression but sent a clear message: Algeria are back, and they mean business. Runners-up in the last edition, the Desert Foxes will be eyeing the ultimate prize this time around.
In Pretoria, South Africa pulled off a determined comeback to secure their place. Trailing 1-0 from the first leg against Malawi, Bafana Bafana turned the tie around at Loftus Versfeld with a 2-0 win.
Victor Letsoalo and Neo Maema scored the goals that marked South Africa’s return to the CHAN finals for the first time in 12 years. The last time the team featured in the tournament was in 2014 when they hosted the competition.
With Algeria and South Africa joining the fray, Uganda’s Group C now reads like a who’s who of continental football. Guinea and Niger, who had earlier secured qualification, add further depth and unpredictability to the group.
For Uganda, the stakes could not be higher. Hosting part of the tournament offers home advantage but the Cranes will need to be at their very best to navigate a group brimming with experience, talent, and ambition.
CHAN 2025 promises to be a festival of African football, uniquely spotlighting players who compete in their respective domestic leagues.
In the other groups as revealed in January, Kenya was pitted in Group A which many have termed as a group of death with Morocco, Angola and two-time winners, DR Congo and Zambia.
Tanzania, on the other side in Group B, will face Madagascar, Mauritania, Burkina Faso and the Central African Republic.
Group D saw favourites and defending Champions Senegal lined up alongside Congo Brazzaville, North Sudan and Nigeria.
