Defending champions Senegal moved one step closer to retaining their title at the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) PAMOJA 2024 after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over co-hosts Uganda in a tense quarter-final clash at the Mandela National Stadium on Saturday.
Oumar Ba scored the decisive goal, silencing a passionate home crowd and showcasing the champions’ tournament experience.
The decisive moment arrived in the 62nd minute when Libasse Guèye delivered a teasing cross that found Ba at the far post.
The Senegalese striker calmly fired a low right-footed shot past goalkeeper Joel Mutakubwa to give his side the lead. It was a goal that highlighted Senegal’s patience and clinical finishing in a game with limited scoring opportunities.
For the Cranes, who had made history by reaching the knockout stages for the first time, the defeat was a bitter pill to swallow. Despite the overwhelming support from over 35,000 home fans, they were unable to find the back of the net.
Standout player Allan Okello and substitute Ivan Ahimbisibwe both had chances, but the team lacked the composure to convert their opportunities. The closest they came was when Gavin Kizito headed just wide from an Okello corner.
Senegal’s defensive steel held firm throughout the match, living up to their reputation as the best defensive side among the quarter-finalists.
Goalkeeper Marc Diouf was authoritative in his area, while Seyni Ndiaye and Joseph Layousse marshaled the backline with great discipline.
Despite the defeat, Uganda’s historic campaign, which included topping a group ahead of Algeria and South Africa, gave fans reason to be optimistic about the future.
As the final whistle blew, the team was applauded off the pitch, a sign of recognition for a performance that restored pride in Ugandan football.
Senegal will now advance to their second successive CHAN semi-final, where they will face Morocco. For Uganda, attention will turn to building on this foundation, with coach Morley Byekwaso stating that his team “will learn and come back stronger.”
