Byekwaso tactical approach lifts Uganda, Niger searching for answers
Uganda's CHAN 2024 journey came roaring back to life on Monday night as the Cranes outclassed Niger 2-0 at a packed Nelson Mandela Stadium in Kampala.
In a contest where the numbers on paper told one story but the pitch told another, it was the hosts' tactical discipline — and Allan Okello's brilliance — that tipped the balance.
Okello was the conductor and the finisher, scoring a 25th-minute opener before turning provider for the second 11 minutes after the restart.
The statistics leaned towards Niger — more possession, more passes, and better accuracy — but the scoreboard reflected a Ugandan side that played with ruthless purpose.
Uganda's Tactical Shift Pays Off
The win came after a bruising start to the tournament, where Uganda were humbled 3-0 in their opener.
Head coach Morley Byekwaso revealed that the turnaround was built on defensive organisation and mental resilience.
'We are extremely happy to have won our second match. We started the tournament with a 3-0 defeat, but we didn't lose focus.
"We strengthened our defence, motivated our captains and gave our playmakers freedom. In a tournament, defending well and conceding no goals is crucial, because chances will come — and when you take them, you get results.'
Byekwaso's approach stifled Niger's attack and allowed his creative players space to thrive — none more so than Okello, whose movement and precision were constant threats. Eyes on South Africa
With South Africa next in the group, Byekwaso is already looking ahead.
"We know they are very effective in the final third. We must be smart and careful, because they know our strengths and weaknesses. After that first defeat, we know how painful it is to lose — and we want to avoid that feeling again.'
That clash could define Uganda's tournament, with qualification hopes now firmly within reach.
Niger's Frustration Grows
For Niger, the defeat extended a worrying trend — no goals in two matches. Head coach Harouna Doula Gabde was candid in his assessment.
'In the two games we've played so far, we've lacked the offensive arguments to truly trouble our opponents, Doula said.
"Today, their first goal made their job easier. I'd like to review the footage to confirm the penalty decision. In attack, we lacked the ability to handle the physical impact of their defence.
Yet he insisted there was still fight left in his side.
'We need to regroup for the two remaining matches, against South Africa and Algeria.
"We must improve our finishing while keeping our defensive solidity. I don't think we lacked physical presence, but we did lack efficiency in the final third.' Qualification Race Heats Up
With this win, Uganda moved into a strong position to challenge for a knockout berth.
For Niger, the road ahead is far steeper, and unless their attack clicks soon, their CHAN 2024 journey may end early.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CAF
2 hours ago
- CAF
Morocco's Turning Point: Mehri plots path beyond the group stage
Published: Friday, 15 August 2025 Youssef Mehri isn't dwelling on personal accolades or Morocco's impressive 3-1 victory over Zambia at the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2004 — his eyes are already locked on the next battle. 'We are ready for the next match against DR Congo, with the aim of passing the first round, which remains our primary objective at the moment,' the forward declared with quiet confidence. That focus says everything about the mood in Morocco's camp. The two-time champions may have stumbled early in CHAN 2024, but Thursday night in Nairobi proved they still have the firepower and discipline to shape their own destiny. Recognition for a Driving Force Mehri's impact against Zambia was undeniable, and the TotalEnergies Man of the Match award only confirmed it. The striker's delivery from a corner created Morocco's opener, and his relentless movement kept the Zambian defence under constant strain. 'This victory is the result of collective work by the players and the technical staff,' Mihri said, reflecting on the team's effort. 'We were more tactically disciplined and hungry for victory. The players were fully aware of the responsibility that weighs on them.' The Zambia Match: From Frustration to Control Under the floodlights at Nyayo National Stadium, Morocco came out with intent. Early pressure forced errors, but three clear chances went begging before captain Mohamed Hrimat finally headed home from Mehri's outswinging corner in first-half stoppage time. The second half brought drama. Zambia thought they had levelled through Happy Nsiku, only for VAR to rule out the goal. A minute later, Oussama Lamlaoui doubled Morocco's lead, capitalising on defensive confusion. . Zambia's Andrew Phiri cut the deficit on 70 minutes, but Sabir Bougrine's stoppage-time strike sealed a statement win. The result pushed Morocco to six points in Group A — level with DR Congo and just one behind leaders Kenya — setting up a high-stakes finale on Sunday. Why DR Congo Is Different While Zambia came into the game wounded after two defeats, DR Congo arrive in strong form and with their own ambitions of topping the group. Their physicality, pace on the break, and ruthlessness in front of goal make them a different kind of threat. For Mehri, that only sharpens the focus. 'We are ready for the next match,' he repeated, underlining Morocco's determination to advance. 'The aim of passing the first round remains our primary objective at the moment.' From Here On, No Room for Error The Morocco forward knows that fine margins will decide Sunday's clash. A win secures a place in the quarter-finals; anything less could leave the Atlas Lions relying on other results. But if the Zambia performance is any indication, Morocco have rediscovered their intensity, tactical sharpness, and belief. For now, Mehri's award will take a back seat to the bigger goal — making sure Morocco's CHAN journey doesn't end in Nairobi.
CAF
10 hours ago
- CAF
Survival vs Supremacy: Guinea and Algeria brace for Group C battle
When the sun sets over Kampala's Mandela National Stadium in Uganda on Friday at 1700 Local Time, two sides with vastly different realities will meet under the same fierce spotlight. Guinea steps onto the pitch knowing that anything less than victory could slam the door on their CHAN 2024 dreams. Algeria, on the other hand, can punch their quarter-final ticket early — and send a strong statement of intent to the rest of the tournament. It's a classic case of survival versus supremacy: one team fighting to stay alive, the other striving to cement dominance. Algeria's Iron Wall So far, Majid Bougherra's Algeria have been one of the most tactically disciplined teams in the competition. With four points from their first two games — a clinical win over Congo and a goalless draw with South Africa — they stand atop Group C without conceding a single goal. 'From the beginning, I've said that every game is a final. Tomorrow, we face Guinea, who still believe in their chances. It will be a tough match for both teams. We've had more time to recover and prepare,' Bougherra stated with a blend of caution and confidence. "We've analyzed Guinea's recent games thoroughly, understanding their strengths and weaknesses — though I won't reveal them here.' For the Desert Foxes, victory means breathing room ahead of their final group game, a luxury few teams enjoy in a tournament as unforgiving as CHAN. Guinea's Last Stand Guinea, led by Souleymane Camara, began their campaign with a win over Congo but stumbled against South Africa. Wastefulness in front of goal has been their Achilles heel, but their coach believes the dream is still alive. 'I believe we still have our destiny in our hands. The goal is to win and reach six points, then wait for the other results. There are no excuses. Against South Africa, we played well but lost — tomorrow, we must show a different image, fight from start to finish, and secure the three points,' Camara declared. He has worked on sharpening his side's offensive play in training and singled out midfielder Ismaël Camara for bringing greater control in the middle of the park. Yet he didn't shy away from pointing out a challenge. 'Algeria had more days to rest, and that is an advantage. They are experienced players, used to high-level competitions. Our schedule has been tighter, but we have to deal with it.' Clash of Styles On paper, the match is a meeting of contrasting blueprints. Algeria's compact defence and patient build-up face Guinea's more direct and urgent attacking approach, led by striker Moussa Moïse Camara. 'Against South Africa, we created many chances but lacked efficiency,' Moussa Moïse Camara assured. "We've worked on that aspect and are ready to face Algeria, a very strong and well-organized team. While Algeria will likely stick to their defensive consistency, Guinea knows they can't afford to sit back — three points are the only currency that keeps them in contention. History Won't Play This Match These two sides have met twice in CHAN history, each taking a win. But for Bougherra, the past is irrelevant. 'These are different competitions and teams. We don't focus on the past,' he said. "This will be a high-level match between two teams that enjoy playing good football. May the best team win.' The Stakes Couldn't Be Higher For Guinea, the equation is brutally simple: win or go home. For Algeria, it's about securing a place in the last eight with a game to spare. Both sets of players will step onto the pitch knowing this match could define their CHAN 2024 story. With tension in the air and the Kampala crowd ready for a spectacle, expect a contest full of drama, determination, and possibly the defining moment of Group C.
CAF
10 hours ago
- CAF
Fighting for Pride and Progress: Niger and South Africa set for Group C showdown
Under the lights of Kampala's Mandela National Stadium, the stakes couldn't be higher. On Friday at 2000 Local Time in Uganda 8:00 PM, Niger and South Africa will collide in a Group C clash that will shape their CHAN 2024 destinies. One side is fighting for survival, the other for security — yet both know this is the kind of match that can rewrite a tournament story in 90 minutes. Niger's Mission: Turning Struggles into Points For Harouna Doulla and his Niger side, the road so far has been littered with frustration. Two games, no points, and a desperate need to find the breakthrough that can keep their campaign alive. Yet the coach remains a believer. 'Tomorrow's game against South Africa will undoubtedly be a tough one for both teams. We are still looking for our first point in this competition, but we believe anything can happen. It will be difficult, but not impossible,' Doulla insisted. This is not the Niger of old — it's a team undergoing a generational shift, with fresh-faced talents like 17-year-old Abdeljelil Ahamat at the heart of the rebuild. Doulla admits the renewal has brought growing pains, but he also sees the learning process as a springboard for tomorrow's performance. 'Our immediate goal is to secure our first point, and we want to achieve that in this game,' he added. South Africa's Cautious Confidence With four points from their opening two matches, Molefi Ntseki's South Africa are a step away from the quarter-finals. The challenge now is to avoid last-minute complications by sealing qualification early. 'When it comes to tournament football, it is crucial to adjust strategies according to the opponent. Even though Niger hasn't scored any points yet, we cannot underestimate them. They are a well-structured and dangerous team at certain moments in the game,' Ntseki warned. The equation for Bafana Bafana is simple: win and the quarter-final ticket is booked. Even a draw leaves them in a strong position, but Ntseki is clear — avoiding reliance on other results is the priority. 'The two remaining matches are decisive. If we don't win, we will depend on calculations and combinations, and that is something we want to avoid. It is up to us to do our job and secure qualification.' Voices from the P itch For South Africa's captain Ramahlwe Mphahlele, the match is more than just points — it's about representing the badge with pride. 'This game against Niger is very important for us as a team. We know we will face a strong and well-organized opponent, but we are mentally and physically prepared. Playing in a stadium that honors Nelson Mandela is a privilege, and it gives us the strength to defend our country's colors with determination.' On the Nigerien side, young Ahamat is relishing his baptism of fire in a continental tournament. 'Morale is high. Two losses don't mean everything is over. We will fight to earn our first points. Investing in young players like me is crucial for the future, and I hope to continue contributing to the growth of Nigerien football.' History on the Line In three previous CHAN encounters, South Africa hold the upper hand with two wins and a draw. Yet Niger will remember 2011 — the year they held Bafana Bafana to a goalless draw, a result that eliminated the South Africans and sent Niger through. That bit of history is a reminder that form alone doesn't decide football matches. For Doulla, the key is cutting out individual errors, while Ntseki's focus is on exploiting moments when Niger's organisation wavers. Defining Moments Await Tomorrow's clash isn't just another fixture — it's a chapter-defining battle for both sides. For Niger, it's a fight for pride, points, and a shot at keeping their CHAN journey alive. For South Africa, it's the chance to finish the job early and walk into the quarter-finals with momentum. When the whistle blows in Kampala, expect a game heavy with urgency, discipline, and ambition from both camps — a true reflection of what tournament football is all about.
