The Uganda Cranes stand just 90 minutes away from rewriting their history books as they prepare for a monumental showdown against reigning champions Senegal in the quarterfinals of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024. The clash is scheduled for Saturday, 23rd August 2025, under the floodlights of Mandela National Stadium, Namboole.
Uganda enters the contest buoyed by an impressive group stage campaign in which they collected seven points from four outings to top Group C. That achievement has injected belief into the camp, fueling hopes of finally breaking the ceiling and securing a maiden semifinal berth at the tournament.
Head coach Morley Byekwaso, while fully aware of the magnitude of the challenge, is rallying his men to match Senegal’s pedigree with composure and tactical sharpness.
Kizito confident as Uganda prepare for crunch Senegal test in CHAN Quarters
“We are playing a well-organized team that has been in the tournament for a long time. We have played them in friendlies, and we know their strengths. The Senegalese are very physical, but every team has weaknesses. This is no longer the group stage; mistakes at this level can cost us dearly. The boys are well-prepared both physically and emotionally, so we are good to go,” Byekwaso noted as quoted by the federation website.
Pointing to discipline as Uganda’s strongest weapon, the tactician insists the Cranes must remain calm while feeding off the energy of their home supporters.
“We must be disciplined as we are facing a disciplined team. We will focus on minimizing mistakes and forcing them into errors. That is how we will create scoring opportunities. We also have the advantage of playing in front of our home fans, and we know how much they expect from us. The boys are aware of this, and they are ready,” he added.
The stage is set: 90 minutes, a roaring home crowd, and the chance for Uganda to step into uncharted territory.
