Uganda reignited their TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship PAMOJA 2024 campaign with a convincing 3-0 win over Guinea in Kampala on Friday night, keeping alive their hopes of progressing to the quarter-finals.
Goals from Reagan Mpande, Allan Okello and substitute Ivan Ahimbisibwe secured the hosts’ first victory of the tournament after a disappointing opening loss to Algeria. The result lifts Uganda to second place in Group C on three points, level with Guinea but ahead on goal difference. Algeria remain top with four points after drawing 1-1 with South Africa earlier in the day.
The Cranes began with urgency at the Nelson Mandela National Stadium, knowing defeat would all but end their campaign. Their pressure was rewarded in the 31st minute when Mpande met Joel Sserunjogi’s free-kick with a precise header into the bottom corner. Guinea threatened through Kabinet Kouyaté and Ousmane Drame, but goalkeeper Joel Mutakubwa was equal to the task.
Uganda doubled their lead just before the hour mark. Okello, who had been lively throughout, was brought down in the box by Aboubacar Bangoura. Following a VAR review, the midfielder calmly converted from the spot. Minutes later, Guinea thought they had a penalty of their own when Mohamed Lamine Youla went down, but the decision was overturned after another review.
With Guinea committing men forward in search of a response, Uganda struck again in the 89th minute. A swift counter-attack saw Karim Watambala release Ahimbisibwe, who slotted home to seal the result.
The win leaves Group C finely poised heading into the final round of matches. Uganda will face South Africa with a place in the last eight within reach, while Guinea face the daunting task of playing Algeria. For Uganda’s head coach Morley Byekwaso, it was a night when his side rediscovered both belief and attacking fluency.
