The Uganda Cranes were drawn into Group C for the 2024 TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN), during the final draw conducted last evening at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi, Kenya.
As co-hosts of the tournament alongside Kenya and Tanzania, the Cranes will face Niger and Guinea, along with two yet-to-be-determined teams (Q1 and Q2).
Here’s a closer look at their confirmed opponents, Niger and Guinea.
Niger
Niger, nicknamed The Mena, head into the competition buoyed by a rich history in CHAN.
With five previous appearances (2011, 2016, 2020, 2022, and 2024), their best performance came in 2022 when they finished fourth after a semi-final loss to Algeria.
Known for their resilience, Niger topped their group in the last edition, defeating Cameroon to reach the semi-finals.
The West African team, guided by experienced coach Harouna Doula Gabde, has defensive solidity and team spirit as its hallmarks.
Their path to CHAN 2024 saw them edge out Togo in the qualifiers, advancing on the away goals rule after a 1-1 draw in Lomé and a goalless stalemate at home.
As semi-finalists in the previous edition, Niger will be determined to go one better this year and are expected to be a tough opponent for Uganda.
Guinea
Guinea, known as Syli National, return to CHAN for their fourth appearance after missing the 2022 edition.
Their best performance came in 2020 when they secured a third-place finish.
This year, Guinea are eager to claim the title under coach Souleymane Camara, who guided them through an impressive qualification campaign.
The Syli National dominated Guinea-Bissau in the qualifiers, securing a 6-2 aggregate victory, including a commanding 4-1 home win in Abidjan.
Renowned for their attacking prowess and resilience, Guinea will look to replicate and surpass their 2020 bronze medal-winning campaign as they aim for CHAN glory.
The Road Ahead
While the identities of Q1 and Q2 are yet to be decided, the mini-tournament to determine the final qualifiers will feature teams like Egypt, Algeria, South Africa, Malawi, Gambia, Gabon and Comoros.
These teams will battle for the last two slots, adding intrigue to Group C.
The tournament, initially scheduled for February, was postponed to August, giving Uganda ample time to prepare.
Despite being co-hosts (together with Kenya and Tanzania), and record participants (with six appearances), the Cranes are yet to progress beyond the group stages—a hurdle they are desperate to overcome this time.
The Bigger Picture
Across the other groups, defending champions Senegal headline Group D alongside Congo, Sudan, and Nigeria, while co-hosts Kenya are pitted in a tough Group A, which includes Morocco, Angola, DR Congo, and Zambia.
Group B features Tanzania, Madagascar, Mauritania, Burkina Faso, and the Central African Republic.
