Saturday August 24, 2025
- Mandela National stadium, Namboole 5pm
After achieving their major target for the TotalEnergies Africa Nations Championship 2024, Uganda Cranes now targets more history as they aim to reach the semis.
The co-hosts battle reigning champions Senegal at Mandela National stadium, Namboole with a semi-final berth at stake.
Uganda will hope to repeat the same result achieved in 2022 in Algeria when they beat the Lions of Teranga 1-0 in the group stages.
They also beat the West African nation 2-1 in an international friendly in Arusha days prior to the tournament but coach Morley Byekwaso says that is in the past.
“Tomorrow will be a very tough game, but we are prepared. It’s a special match for us because we are playing at home and want to bring joy to our fans,” Morley Byekwaso said at the pre-match press conference on Friday
“This is not a friendly — it’s a knockout game where we must show character and discipline. Senegal is experienced, they’ve been champions for the last two years, but with our fans behind us, we believe we can achieve victory.”
Senegal head coach Souleymane Diallo understands two or three things about the Cranes.
“We know it will be a tough match. Uganda is well-organized and playing at home, which gives them an extra boost.
“We faced them in a friendly in Tanzania, but this is different — a knockout game where there are only two options: win and move on, or lose and go home. We are ready to give everything.”
The two sides have a key player suspended with Hilary Mukundane out with an accumulation of bookings just like Senegal midfielder Pape Abasse Badji.
The winner will face two-time champions Morocco who ejected Tanzania 1-0 in Dar es Salaam.