Overview:
Uganda and Algeria have met once in the CHAN with the Desert Foxes winning 2-0 in Sudan in 2011.
CHAN 2024 | Fixtures | Monday, August 4 | Mandela National Stadium, Namboole
- Uganda vs Algeria – 8:00 pm
- Guinea vs Niger – 5:00 pm
Uganda Cranes target a decent start to the TotalEnergies Africa Nations Championship 2024 in a tricky tie against Algeria at Namboole.
The highly anticipated Group C fixture will see a repeat of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier played earlier this year which the Algerians won 2-1 at the same venue.
With co-hosts Tanzania and Tanzania starting on a high with wins over Burkina Faso and DR Congo, respectively, Uganda needs to emulate the results.
Allan Okello, who will lead the team, is confident of victory, although he admits the quality of the Desert Foxes squad.
“We have had very good preparations and we are ready,” he told the press. “The team we face has a lot of quality but if we want to go far in the tournament, we must get a good result against them,” he added.
Okello, who played in Algeria with AC Paradou, knows a thing or two about the opponents but says limiting mistakes will be key.
“When we played them in the World Cup qualifiers, we made silly mistakes in the second half despite having a very good performance in the first half.
“I know we shall make mistakes again, but not ones that will cost us the game.”
His coach, Morley Byekwaso, the first local tactician to lead Uganda at the tournament, also believes that playing at home means making history.
“Playing here means we must make history and make it through the group,” he stated. “We want to do our best to qualify and with fans behind us, we are hosts, we are at home and this is our first game, we need to win because it is important in the tournament,” he added.
Meanwhile, Algeria coach Majid Bougherra has spoken highly of the hospitality received so far and wants a full capacity stadium on the day.
“Thank you, Uganda, for the warm welcome. I am very happy to start the competition with Uganda, the hosts and I know it will be a tough,” he said.
“We want to play in a full stadium as that will give us motivation to do well.”
Key Stat
- Uganda and Algeria have met once in the CHAN with the Desert Foxes winning 2-0 in Sudan in 2011.
Earlier on the day, Guinea will entertain Niger at Namboole in a group C opening match.
Uganda Cranes Probable XI
Mutakubwa (GK), Gavin, Mukundane, Odong, Achai, Sserujongi, Ssebagala, Okello (C), Ssemugabi, Sentamu, Kakande