Kampala, Uganda: Uganda Cranes head coach for the Total Energies African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024, Morley Byekwaso, has called on fans to pack Mandela National Stadium, Namboole, as the team faces Guinea in a must-win clash on Friday night in their second Group C fixture of the tourney.
Byekwaso, whose side suffered a bruising 3-0 defeat to Algeria in their opening match, said the players have put the result behind them and are ready to bounce back stronger.
“We’ve put the first game behind us. Football has its ups and downs, but what matters is how you respond. The team is motivated, and we’re ready to give everything tomorrow,” said Byekwaso during Thursday’s pre-match briefing.
Despite the heavy loss to North African giants Algeria, the Cranes remain optimistic about qualifying for the knockout stages for the first time in CHAN history. A win against Guinea would revive their campaign and restore belief among supporters.
“We have addressed the key areas where we fell short, and the boys are in a good place mentally. We believe we can make the country proud again,” the coach added.
Byekwaso also used the opportunity to make an emotional rallying cry to the fans. “Our supporters mean everything to us. Yes, the first result was disappointing, but we urge fans to return in big numbers. We are still in this fight together, and their energy will lift the players. We promise to give them something to cheer about,” he said.
Third-choice captain and dependable defender Rogers Torach echoed the coach’s positivity, expressing the squad’s readiness and determination to turn things around.
‘The team is fired up and focused. We know what is at stake and we are not dwelling on the past. Everyone is ready to fight for the badge. We want to make our fans proud and keep our dream alive,’ said Torach.
The Cranes completed their final training session on Thursday morning at 10:15am on the Namboole training ground, sharpening tactics and building team shape for the crucial encounter.
Uganda’s most recent meeting with Guinea ended in a 1-0 victory during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, a result that gives the team added confidence ahead of Friday’s tie.
In Group C action, Algeria faces South Africa at 5 pm, before Uganda takes on Guinea at 8 pm under the Namboole floodlights.