With a lively home crowd under the Namboole floodlights cheering every move, the Cranes were eager to mark the return of the tournament to home soil with a strong performance. However, Algeria’s clinical edge and tactical discipline proved decisive on the night.
The visitors were quick off the blocks, threatening as early as the 6th minute, but Uganda’s defence marshalled by captain Allan Okello stood firm. The match’s first booking came in the 13th minute when forward Emmanuel Anyama was cautioned after a challenge as both sides wrestled for midfield dominance.
Uganda began to grow into the game midway through the first half. Jude Ssemugabi beat his marker with an intelligent dribble down the right and sent in a teasing low cross, but Algeria’s backline was alert to avert the danger.
However, the momentum was briefly halted in the 36th minute when Algerian skipper Ayoub Ghezela rose to head home from a corner, handing the Desert Foxes the lead.
Joel Sserunjogi picked up Uganda’s second yellow card in the 41st minute for a foul on Bilel Boukerchaoui. Nevertheless, Uganda continued to search for an equaliser, with the first half’s best chance falling to Jonah Kakande, who was denied by a fine save from Algerian goalkeeper Zakaria Bouhalfaya following a slick move initiated by Allan Okello.
At halftime, Coach Morley Byekwaso introduced Karim Watambala for Jude Ssemugabi, prompting a tactical reshuffle that saw Allan Okello shift to the right wing. The changes had an immediate impact as Uganda looked sharper and more purposeful after the restart.
Chances fell to Okello, Watambala, and Kakande in a spirited second-half display that momentarily had Algeria on the back foot, with the crowd rallying behind the boys in yellow and black.
But Algeria responded with a double substitution in the 69th minute, introducing Soufiane Bayazid and Mohamed Naoufel, a move that swung the tide back in their favour. Uganda responded with their own changes—Shafiq Nana Kwikiriza and Yunus Sentamu entering the fray.
Algeria, however, struck twice in quick succession. Abderrahmane Meziane made it 2-0 in the 75th minute with a composed finish, before substitute Soufiane Bayazid rounded off goalkeeper Joel Mutakubwa and slotted home Algeria’s third just three minutes later.
Despite the result, Uganda’s second-half showing was full of energy and will give Coach Byekwaso and his staff positives to build on ahead of the next fixture.
The Cranes will now turn their focus to a crucial clash against Guinea on Friday, August 8. Guinea currently top Group C after edging Niger 1-0 earlier in the day.
