Defending champions Senegal edged co-hosts Uganda 1-0 in the quarter-final of the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) PAMOJA 2024, at the Mandela National Stadium in Kampala on Saturday.
The win moved Senegal a step closer to retaining their crown after picking one of the available semi-finals slot.
Oumar Ba struck a 62nd minute decisive goal as the Teranga Lions showed their tournament know-how to silence the over 35,000 home crowd.
The Cranes, who had made history by reaching the knockout stages of CHAN for the first time, gave everything in front of their fans but could not find the finishing touch.
Allan Okello, Uganda’s standout player of the group stage, tested goalkeeper Marc Diouf with a rasping drive before half-time, while substitute Ivan Ahimbisibwe was twice denied in the second half.
The closest they came was in the 68th minute when Gavin Kizito met an Okello corner but headed just wide with Diouf beaten.
Later, Ahimbisibwe and Arnold Odong both forced saves from the Senegal keeper in a frantic finale.
Uganda had more shots overall but lacked the composure that Senegal demonstrated in the key moment.
Senegal now advance to their second successive CHAN semi-final, where they will face Morocco.
For Uganda, attention turns to building on this foundation, with Byekwaso insisting post-match that his team “will learn and come back stronger.”
The Mandela Stadium may have fallen silent after Ba’s goal, but Uganda’s performance across CHAN 2024 ensures their journey will be remembered as the start of something significant.
