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CAF
3 days ago
- Sport
- CAF
Guinea v Uganda: High stakes as hosts battle for survival
Matchday two of Group C at the 2024 TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) brings a high-stakes clash between tournament hosts Uganda and Guinea, scheduled for Friday at 18:00 EAT at the Nelson Mandela National Stadium in Kampala. While both teams enter the match with different momentum—Guinea buoyed by an opening win, Uganda reeling from a defeat—they are united by one urgent truth: there is no room for mistakes. Guinea Approach with Cautious Confidence On the Guinean side, the mood is measured but optimistic. A narrow 1-0 victory over Niger, courtesy of a goal from Mohamed Bangoura II, handed Syli Nationale three valuable points and extended their unbeaten streak in regular time at CHAN to eight matches. But head coach Souleymane Camara remains focused on the task ahead. 'Just because we're facing a team that lost their first match doesn't mean it will be easy. It's going to be tough. They'll come at us, and we'll need to apply the best strategies to counter the support from their home fans,' Camara warned. 'We must stay focused. Our objective is clear: we want the three points.' Camara added that his team is physically ready and mentally strong. He also noted that the win against Niger was especially symbolic, as the team held its pre-tournament camp at a military base—a nod of gratitude to the armed forces. Uganda Seek Redemption After Algeria Defeat For Uganda, the stakes are higher. A disappointing 3-0 loss to Algeria in their opening game left the Cranes bottom of the group and under pressure to respond. Head coach Morley Byekwaso acknowledged the pain of defeat but urged his team and fans to look ahead, not back. 'I prefer not to talk about the past but to focus on what lies ahead. We know it'll be a difficult game. We need to win to keep our hopes alive,' he said. 'Some of our players are still recovering from knocks, but we hope to have everyone available. When you're humiliated, it's painful, but that's part of football. I believe our fans will be with us tomorrow.' Byekwaso was also quick to highlight the pressure his relatively young and inexperienced squad is facing, noting that mental resilience will be key. A Crossroads for Uganda's CHAN Journey Uganda's situation is clear: only victory will keep them in contention. Anything less could mean early elimination—a major blow for a nation making its seventh consecutive CHAN appearance but still chasing its first progression beyond the group stage. 'Everyone knows we lost our first game. Now we're focused on the next one and ready to give our best,' said goalkeeper Joel Mutakubwa. 'We know the pressure is real, but the team is united and determined to win.' Guinea Aiming to Secure Early Qualification In contrast, Guinea are in a more comfortable position, sitting on three points alongside Algeria but trailing on goal difference. A draw could be enough to see them through, depending on the result of the Algeria vs South Africa fixture. Coach Camara has made it clear that qualification remains the team's priority. 'We won't reveal our strategy, but we want to secure enough points to go through. Algeria are the defending champions and a top team, so we know how important it is to beat Uganda.' Mental Toughness the Key for Syli Nationale Midfielder Ibrahima Sory Sankhon echoed his coach's sentiments, acknowledging the challenge of facing Uganda on home soil. 'We know tomorrow won't be easy. They'll have their fans behind them, and it will be a hostile environment. We're mentally and physically ready to face every challenge—on and off the pitch.' Contrasting Styles Set the Stage The match is likely to be shaped by contrasting strategies. Guinea are expected to rely on their solid defensive structure and quick transitions, while Uganda will be forced to take risks, driven by home crowd energy and the urgency of chasing points. While there's no CHAN history between the two sides, regional form suggests a fascinating battle. Guinea have generally performed well against East African opposition, while Uganda's record against West African teams has been a mix of surprise wins and heavy losses. With both coaches promising a tactical approach and players aware of the magnitude of the moment, this clash could be one of the most intense and unpredictable encounters of the group stage.
CAF
6 days ago
- Sport
- CAF
Guinea hold off Niger to start CHAN 2024 with victory
Guinea began their TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) PAMOJA 2024 campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over regional rivals Niger on Monday at the Nelson Mandela National Stadium in Kampala. The win was sealed by a second-half strike from Mohamed Bangoura II, who netted shortly after the restart following a VAR review. It marked a cagey, often physical affair in which Guinea's superior game management and defensive structure saw them over the line in this Group C opener. In a repeat of their thrilling 2-2 draw at the 2016 edition, expectations were high for another open contest, but both sides approached the encounter with caution, especially in the early stages. Guinea came into the match unbeaten in open play in their last seven CHAN games, while Niger sought to avoid a third straight tournament defeat. The first half was scrappy and full of midfield tussles. Chances were few and far between, with long-range efforts from Lansana Sylla and Théodore Jules testing the goalkeepers but never truly threatening to break the deadlock. The tempo was repeatedly broken by fouls, and the match saw five yellow cards dished out—three to Niger. The breakthrough came just two minutes into the second half. Guinea winger Alhassane Bangoura whipped in a low cross from the left and Bangoura II reacted first, steering a composed right-footed finish into the bottom corner. The assistant referee initially raised his flag, but after a brief VAR check, the goal was confirmed—sending the Syli Nationale bench into celebration. Niger responded by throwing men forward, with substitute Abdoul-Latif Goumey coming closest to equalising with a looping header that went just wide in the 76th minute. Ridouane Assane also tested the Guinea defence with a couple of long-range drives, while Bilal Oumarou's deliveries from the flanks gave hope of a late comeback. But Guinea remained resolute. Centre-back Mohamed Diabaté led a disciplined back line, while Ousmane Drame and substitute Ibrahima Sankhon added steel in midfield. Goalkeeper Ousmane Camara was rarely troubled, but he commanded his area well during a flurry of Niger corners in stoppage time. Referee Mehrez Melki signaled eight added minutes, and Niger pushed desperately for an equaliser. A last-ditch effort by Ridouane Assane was blocked in the 96th minute, and when Abdoul Kassali was flagged offside with one final run, Guinea's hard-earned three points were safe. The result gives Guinea an early edge in a highly competitive Group C, which also includes hosts Uganda, Algeria, and South Africa. For Niger, it was a frustrating start to their fifth CHAN appearance, especially after a promising fourth-place finish in 2022. Coach Harouna Doula's men now face an uphill battle to keep their quarter-final hopes alive. Guinea, on the other hand, will look to build momentum as they chase another deep run in the tournament.
