Uganda reignited their TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) PAMOJA 2024 campaign with an emphatic 3-0 victory over Guinea on Friday night, restoring their qualification hopes after a disappointing start to the tournament.
First-half goals from Reagan Mpande and Allan Okello, followed by a late strike from substitute Ivan Ahimbisibwe, secured the hosts their opening win in Group C.
The result lifted Uganda to second place on three points, level with Algeria but behind on goal difference. Guinea remain winless, with their chances of advancing now in jeopardy.
Mpande opened the scoring in the 31st minute, heading in Joel Sserunjogi’s set-piece after goalkeeper Joel Mutakubwa had earlier denied Kabinet Kouyaté and Ousmane Drame.
Okello doubled the lead from the penalty spot shortly before the hour mark after VAR confirmed a foul by Aboubacar Bangoura.
Guinea were awarded a penalty of their own minutes later, but the decision was overturned following another VAR review.
Despite making several substitutions to find a breakthrough, Guinea were unable to breach a disciplined Ugandan backline marshalled by Hilary Mukundane and Gavin Kizito.
Ahimbisibwe sealed the result in the 89th minute, racing onto Karim Watambala’s precise pass before calmly slotting past the Guinea goalkeeper.
Uganda will now face South Africa in their final group match, knowing a win would secure a place in the knockout stages, while Guinea face a must-win scenario to keep their campaign alive.