With two joint hosts pulling opening wins as Tanzania beat Burkina Faso 2-0 and Kenya defeated joint record champions DR Congo 1-0, Uganda is now looking to follow the steps of fellow PAMOJA nations.
Uganda opens their CHAN 2024 campaign against Algeria at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole, on Monday, August 4, kicking off at 8:00 p.m.
Starting this campaign, Uganda’s major target is to progress to the knockout stage, which they failed to reach in 2011, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020, and 2022.
Algeria remains the team to beat, posing as the biggest team in Group C. Uganda will seemingly build on the outcome of the game.
Uganda Coach Morley Byekwaso emphasized that his team. “The boys must have a serious mentality; we are home playing our first game, and it’s very tricky. Our group is a group of death, but we need to have a good start for us to be on the safe side.”
Uganda is going into the game with the entire squad available for selection as Coach Morley confirms, “The good thing is we don’t have injuries, and every player is willing to play off their hearts in front of our fans.”
Meanwhile, Algeria coach Majid Boughera, who is set for his second edition, acknowledged Uganda as he expects to find an equal challenge. “We expect a tough game. We know Uganda will do anything to make their fans proud. It’s a good game to start with; when you win it, it puts you there as a competitor of the championship.”
With Uganda playing at home, Boughera didn’t see it as a big deal. “We’ve played before huge crowds, and we are looking forward to the match against Uganda. It won’t be an easy game, but we are ready.”
Uganda is expected to rely much on Captain Allan Okello, being the most in-form player, for his test Algeria game, despite him playing his first game of the competition.
The other players hoping to lift Uganda are Abdul Karim Watambala and Goalkeeper Joel Mutakubwa, as both are playing in their third consecutive Africa Nations Championship.
On the Algeria side, Midfielder Zakaria Maroui, Muhammad Benkhemasa, in-form forward Aymen Mahious, and experienced forward Sufian Bazayid are the players likely to carry the team.
Unlike Uganda, which is appearing for the seventh time despite failing to overcome the group stage in the past six.
On the other hand, this is going to be the third time for Algeria to play at the tournament, but previously they have been vibrant with their appearances.
In 2011, they finished in fourth place, and on the route, they beat Uganda 2-0 at the group stage. The second time, they lost in the final to Senegal, as they were playing as hosts.
Full Uganda Cranes Squad CHAN 2024
Goalkeepers:
Denis Kiggundu (Vipers SC)
Joel Mutakubwa (BUL FC)
Chrispas Kusiima (Kitara FC)
Defenders:
Arnold Odong (SC Villa)
Nicholas Mwere (BUL FC)
Gideon Odong (NEC FC)
Herbert Achai (KCCA FC)
Rogers Torach (Vipers SC)
Lazaro Muhindo (KCCA FC)
Hilary Mukundane (Vipers SC)
Kizito Gavin (KCCA FC)
Midfielders:
Joseph Youngman Marvin (Vipers SC)
Elvis Ngonde (SC Villa)
Patrick Jonah Kakande (SC Villa)
Allan Okello (Vipers SC)
Joel Sserunjogi (KCCA FC)
Enock Ssebagala (Vipers SC)
Abdu Karim Watambala (Vipers SC)
Forwards:
Jude Ssemugabi (Kitara FC)
Ivan Ahimbisibwe (KCCA FC)
Arafat Kiza Usama (KCCA FC)
Yunus Junior Sentamu (Vipers SC)
Reagan Mpande (SC Villa)
Emmanuel Anyama (KCCA FC)
Shafik Nana Kwikiriza (KCCA FC)
Algeria Final Squad for CHAN 2024:
Goalkeepers:
Zakaria Bouhalfaya (CS Constantine)
Tarek Bousseder (ES Sétif)
Abderrahmane Medjadel (ASO Chlef)
Defenders:
Saadi Radouani (USM Algiers)
Adam Alilet (USM Algiers)
Ilyes Cheti (USM Algiers)
Réda Hlaimia (MC Algiers)
Ayoub Ghezala (MC Algiers)
Abderrahmane Bekkour (CR Belouizdad)
Naoufel Khacef (CR Belouizdad)
Fares Nechat Djabri (JS Kabylie)
Achref Abada (ASO Chlef)
Midfielders:
Akram Bouras (MC Algiers)
Mohamed Benkhemassa (MC Algiers)
Zakaria Draoui (MC Algiers)
Bilal Boukerchaoui (CR Belouizdad)
Messala Merbah (CS Constantine)
Mehdi Boudjemaa (JS Kabylie)
Forwards:
Abderrahmane Meziane (CR Belouizdad)
Aymen Mahious (CR Belouizdad)
Mehdi Merghem (USM Algiers)
Diaa Eddine Mechid (USM Algiers)
Abdenour Belhocini (CS Constantine)
Soufiane Bayazid (MC Algiers)
Lahlou Akhrib (JS Kabylie)
Ben Ahmed Kohili (Paradou AC)
