As Uganda prepares to host Group C of the 2024 African Nations Championship (Chan), the stakes are as high intriguing tournament on the cards as the hopes surrounding the na- tional team, The Cranes.
With the tournament co-hosted by Kenya and Tanzania, Uganda finds herself not only playing on familiar soil but also under the weight of expectation from millions of fans eager for a breakthrough.
This year’s group is anything but forgiving—featuring seasoned contenders like Algeria, rising forces such as Guinea, battle-tested South Africa, and resilient underdogs Niger. Though The Cranes qualified automatically as hosts, their decision to compete in qualifiers shows a team hungry for more than just participation.
Meanwhile, each of their group rivals brings a compelling storyline of its own: Algeria’s blend of youth and experience chasing redemption; Guinea’s explosive young talent making headlines; South Africa’s gritty journey through a tough qualifying campaign; and Niger’s dogged resilience, carving a path through tactical discipline.
QUIET PREPS, LOUD INTENTIONS
The Cranes’ road to Chan 2024 didn’t involve a desperate fight through qualifiers. As one of the tournament’s co-hosts—alongside Kenya and Tanzania—The Cranes earned automatic entry. But they chose not to coast.
Coach Paul Joseph Put’s squad entered the qualifiers anyway, facing Burundi in a symbolic yet meaningful two-legged tie. In front of a lively crowd at Nakivubo’s Hamz stadium, Isaac Ogwang, the promising Police FC forward, netted the match-winner.
Days later, in Congo, Hakim Kiwanuka sealed another win. The message was clear: Uganda wasn’t just showing up, they were warming up. “This team is hungry,” assistant coach Fred Muhumuza said. “Playing at home doesn’t guarantee anything, but we’re not here to make up numbers.”
YOUNG BLOOD, BIG DREAMS
Much of Uganda’s optimism rests on the shoulders of 25-year-old attacking midfielder Allan Okello. A talismanic figure for Vipers SC, Okello delivered 20 goals and four assists last season, helping the club clinch a historic domestic treble.
His creativity and calm in tight spaces make him Uganda’s most dangerous weapon. But this is not a one-man team. Coach Put’s final 29-man squad blends youth and experience, drawn entirely from domestic clubs—a Chan requirement, but also a showcase of Uganda’s local talent pipeline.
Vipers SC, KCCA FC, and SC Villa dominate the roster, contributing names like Marvin Youngman, Usama Arafat, and veteran striker Yunus Sentamu. From Kitara to BUL FC, nearly every top-tier Ugandan club is represented, reflecting a nationwide belief that this could be a defining tournament.
ALGERIA: REDEMPTION THROUGH YOUTH
Algeria, Group C’s most decorated side, enters with both pedigree and a point to prove. Runners-up in Chan 2022 after a penalty heartbreak against Senegal, the North Africans return with a rejuvenated squad built around rising stars, many of whom are also eyeing the Arab Cup in Qatar later this year.
Leading the charge is 27-year-old Aymen Mahious, Chan 2022’s golden boot winner. His movement off the ball and sharp finishing make him a constant threat. He’s flanked by Abderrahmane Meziane and Mehdi Merghem in an attack that can shift gears in seconds.
Algeria’s decision to include many players from domestic powerhouses like USM Algiers and CR Belouizdad highlights both the depth and strategy of their selection.
Their 3-0 demolition of Gambia in the final qualifier leg was a chilling reminder: when Algeria switches on, few can keep up.
UGANDA CRANES FIXTURES
Monday, August 4, 2025: Uganda v Algeria @8pm
Friday, August 8, 2025: Uganda v Niger @ 8pm
Monday, August 11, 2025: Uganda v Niger @8pm