Uganda’s national football team, the Cranes, has made history by advancing out of the group stage at the African Nations Championship (CHAN) for the first time. Following this monumental achievement, FUFA President Moses Magogo has publicly expressed his gratitude to the fans, crediting their unwavering support for the team’s success.
In a statement released by the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA), Magogo emphasized that the Cranes’ journey to the CHAN 2024 quarterfinals was fueled by the energy of the home crowd. “Thank you so much our fans, to be more specific Ugandans, and everybody else who has made an effort to ensure that the boys feel at home,” he said. He gave a special shoutout to the residents of Kisaasi for their consistent support.
The FUFA president specifically highlighted the impact of the fans’ attendance. “We did not do well in the first match, but we came in the second game and were a full house. That was a point of confidence in the national team. In the third game, we were still a full house. I am very certain that our qualification out of the group stage is purely because of the support we get at home,” Magogo added.
This historic qualification ends Uganda’s long-standing misfortune, as they had failed to reach the knockout stage in all six of their previous CHAN appearances.
What next for the Cranes?
Looking ahead, Uganda is set to face defending champions Senegal in the CHAN 2024 quarterfinals on Saturday, August 23. The match will take place at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole, at 17:00 EAT.
Magogo has called on fans to continue their support as the Cranes enter the knockout phase. “Now we have gone through the phase (groups) and are in the knockout phase, where we have a game against Senegal. It is very important that the boys are loved; the team needs more support,” he urged.
The upcoming match against Senegal will be a challenging one, as the Senegalese team defeated host Algeria to win the previous CHAN 2022 title.
