Uganda Cranes are flying high at the ongoing 2024 African Nations Championship after picking yet another win on Monday at Mandela National Stadium.
The team earned a 2-0 victory over Niger to make it back-to-back wins and ascend to the summit of Group C
Allan Okello tucked home from the spot in the first half while midfielder Joel Sserunjogi doubled the lead early in the second half with a well taken left-footed curling effort.
Sserunjogi who has been a key figure in the midfield since the start of the tournament but he will not be available for the game against South Africa after accumulating two yellow cards.
He got onto the scoresheet today and also set up Reagan Mpande for Uganda’s first goal against Guinea.
Uganda plays its final Group C game on Monday next week and on the looks, the game could be crucial to determine who progresses to the quarterfinals.
The midfielder got booked in Uganda’s 3-0 to Algeria and he was also shown yellow today. According to the competition rules, a player who accumulates two bookings misses the subsequent game.
The coaching team led by Morley Byekwaso will have to find a suitable replacement. The direct option would have been Marvin Youngman but reports indicate he is not fully fit.
In the game against Niger today, there was also an injury concern on Enock Ssebagala who limped off after seemingly pulling a muscle in the second half and was replaced by Elvis Ngonde.
Sserunjogi, Ssebagala and Abdu Karim Watambala had formed a cohension in the last two games, putting up commendable displays.
Byekwaso and co will have a full week of rest to make adjustments before taking on South Africa.