SC Villa’s duo, Arnold Odong and Patrick Kakande, delivered a match-winning performance as Uganda defeated the reigning African Nations Championship (CHAN) holders, Senegal, 2-1 in a thrilling encounter on Thursday.
The match, part of a three-nation tournament in Tanzania, served as crucial preparation for the upcoming CHAN tournament, set to begin next week.
The game saw both teams head into halftime without a goal, but it was the Cranes who came alive after the break.
Odong broke the deadlock in the 64th minute, finding the back of the net to put Uganda ahead.
Just minutes later, Kakande extended the lead with a well-taken penalty in the 67th minute, following a foul on Kitara FC’s Jude Ssemugabi in the box.
Senegal, not to be outdone, pulled one back in the 88th minute through S.M. Koite, but despite their efforts, they couldn’t find an equalizer, allowing Uganda to hold on for a 2-1 victory.
This win was a welcome turnaround for the Cranes after a narrow 1-0 defeat to Tanzania earlier in the tournament.
The performance against Senegal was a clear improvement, showcasing resilience and clinical finishing.
The Cranes will now return home to continue their preparations ahead of their CHAN opener against Algeria on August 4th.
With their spirits lifted after the victory over Senegal, Uganda will look to carry this momentum into the tournament and make a strong start.
