By Our Reporter
Uganda clinched a historic place in the quarter-finals of the TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) PAMOJA 2024 after a pulsating 3-3 draw with South Africa in front of 34,194 fans at the Mandela National Stadium in Kampala on Monday night.
The result, combined with Algeria’s goalless draw against Niger in the other Group C fixture, ensured the Cranes advanced as group winners for the first time in their CHAN history—marking a major milestone for Ugandan football. South Africa, meanwhile, saw their campaign end in heartbreak despite a spirited second-half performance.
Needing only a point to secure qualification, Uganda looked firmly in control when Jude Ssemugabi opened the scoring in the 31st minute, clinically finishing a swift counterattack orchestrated by Patrick Kakande.
The Cranes held their lead into the break and seemed poised to cruise into the quarter-finals. However, the second half unfolded into a dramatic, end-to-end contest that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
South Africa came out revitalized after halftime. Ramahlwe Mphahlele bundled in a close-range equalizer in the 52nd minute, a goal awarded following a VAR review. Just six minutes later, Thabiso Kutumela fired home from a tight angle to put Bafana Bafana 2-1 up, flipping the script entirely.
Their momentum surged again in the 83rd minute when Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo unleashed a thunderbolt from outside the box to make it 3-1, putting South Africa temporarily on course for a famous comeback victory.
But Uganda refused to surrender. Just three minutes after conceding the third, Ivan Ahimbisibwe won a penalty, and Allan Okello converted with composure to cut the deficit to 3-2, sending a wave of belief through the home crowd.
The climax came deep into stoppage time. With eight minutes added, Uganda surged forward in search of a lifeline—and got it. A handball by Menzi Masuku gifted the Cranes a second penalty. Rogers Torach stepped up in the 96th minute and buried it, triggering wild celebrations as Uganda secured the all-important draw.
Uganda finished top of Group C with seven points, edging out Algeria (six points) on head-to-head and goal difference. South Africa also ended with six points but were eliminated due to inferior goal difference. Guinea (four points) and Niger (two points) bowed out.
For Uganda, who had never previously progressed beyond the group stages in their seven CHAN appearances, this achievement is nothing short of monumental.
The Cranes now advance to the quarter-finals with momentum, belief, and the backing of an inspired home crowd. Allan Okello’s creativity and the team’s late-game resilience will be central to their hopes of extending this dream run on home soil.
South Africa, on the other hand, will be left ruing missed opportunities. Leading 3-1 with less than 10 minutes to play, they seemed destined to qualify, only to collapse under late pressure. While their attacking performance showed promise, their inability to close out the match will remain a painful memory.
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