After months of waiting, finally, the TotalEnergies Africa Nations Championship 2024 is here.
Uganda, co-hosting with Tanzania which hosted the opening match on Saturday and Kenya which take on DR Congo on Sunday will get its first taste of the tournament on Monday August with a tie against Algeria at 8pm
But before that, Guinea and Niger will face off in the Group C opener at the refurbished Mandela National stadium, Namboole that already has a new look with electronic LED boards and the Video Assistant Refereeing (VAR) technology, the first ever in the country.
The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) did their part when Moses Magogo convinced his East African counterparts to make a bid for AFCON 2027, the government has played its part by putting up infrastructure and the environment to host and now, the ball is in the hands of the players (Uganda Cranes) and the fans to do their part.
Uganda Cranes, playing in their seventh edition, only matched by DR Congo on the number of appearances at CHAN will hope to reach the knock out stages for the first time.
Drawn with Algeria, South Africa, Niger and Guinea, the Cranes will hope to use home support to go all the way and perhaps become only the second host nation to lift the coveted trophy after Morocco in 2020.
However, they can’t do it alone but with the support of all Ugandans behind them.
For now, the political, religious, tribal and any other divisive should be put aside and the only uniting factor be football and particularly the Uganda Cranes.
With the Confederation of African Football (CAF) setting affordable prices for match day tickets, just 10,000 Ugx for two matches each day at Namboole, there is no better way to show support to the boys than by filling the stands to capacity and cheer them.
Namboole has always been a fortress where African giants have been slaughtered and we can carry that attitude and spirit to the football cathedral with the same support we accord the Uganda Cranes A team.
Remember, the CHAN team is a composition of our local stars from the Uganda Premier League and that is more reason for Villa, KCCA, BUL, Vipers and every UPL loving fan to go cheer them like we have always done in the league.
And with the Africa Nations Cup coming in two years’ time, maybe fans filling Namboole not only for Uganda Cranes matches but for all other matches at the venue could earn us an opening match or final come 2027 when we welcome Africa in the region once again.
Chan is a historic moment for Uganda as it is the first time in the history of the country to host a competition of this magnitude. Let us make it count.
Group C fixtures at Namboole
Monday August 4, 2025
- Guinea vs Niger – 5pm
- Uganda vs Algeria – 8pm
Friday August 8, 2025
- Algeria vs South Africa – 5pm
- Guinea vs Uganda – 8pm
Monday August 11, 2025
- South Africa vs Guinea – 5pm
- Uganda vs Niger – 8pm
Friday August 15, 2025
- Guinea vs Algeria -5pm
- Niger vs South Africa – 8pm
Monday August 18, 2025
- Uganda vs South Africa – 8pm
It was an mazing game. But God ha remembered Uganda, we are on top again. Glory to God