Overview:
Match day three at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole comes on Monday, 11th August 2025 with yet another double header. The early kick off at 5 PM has South Africa taking on a wounded Guinea.Uganda Cranes will then take to the field for the third time at CHAN 2024 against Niger at 8 PM.
Every matchday of CHAN 2024 in Uganda has not disappointed, particularly in the stands at the Mandela National Stadium, Namboole.
The opening matchday witnessed Guinea overcome Niger 1-0 before co-hosts Uganda lost 3-0 to Algeria.
The fans from all walks of life turned up with aggression and passionately cheered every moment.
During the Uganda Cranes’ match with Algeria, a section of fans walked out of the stadium in anger after the 3-0 humiliation.
To many, there was fear that the turnout of fans on matchday two would be a disappointment.
Ironically, the 34,175 spectators recorded on matchday two which far exceeded the expectations.
First, South Africa and Algeria’s one-all draw in the early kick-off drew a cheerful, loud crowd that even doubled during the subsequent duel for Uganda Cranes and Guinea, where the Cranes triumphed 3-0.
For every move, the fans applauded as they drummed, sang songs of praise, danced and shouted aloud.
The epitome of the celebrations and the heat of the moment were the three goals scored for Uganda Cranes through Reagan Mpande, Allan Okello (penalty) and second-half substitute Ivan Ahimbisibwe.
Mpande’s goal was a well-timed header off Joel Sserunjogi’s inviting delivery.
For the second goal, Okello cheekily struck a penalty following a foul on himself in the forbidden area that needed confirmation from the Video Assistant Referee (VAR).
The icing on the cake was by forward Ahimbisibwe, a simple finish with the left foot after beating the advancing goalkeeper Ousmane Camara of Flamme Olympique football clubfollowing a defence splitter by Abdul-Karim Watambala.
Namboole Stadium was buzzing as the fans celebrated the famous victory wildly.
Match day three at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole comes on Monday, 11th August 2025 with yet another double header.
The early kick-off at 5 PM has South Africa taking on a wounded Guinea.
Uganda Cranes will then take to the field for the third time at CHAN 2024 against Niger at 8 PM.
Once again, the crowds are expected to flock to the stadium.
CHAN 2024 is also being played in Kenya (Nairobi), Tanzania (Dar es Salaam) and Zanzibar at the Amaan Stadium.
This is the first time that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) is hosting CHAN in three countries, a precursor for the AFCON 2027.