KAMPALAT
he Uganda Cranes are set to take on Guinea in a high-stakes Group C match of the TotalEnergies CAF CHAN PAMOJA 2024 at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole, on Friday evening, with kickoff at 5:00 p.m. UTC.
The match comes on the heels of a dramatic off-field incident involving singer Weasel Manizo, who was allegedly injured by his partner Sandra Teta in a car-related assault at Shan’s Bar in Munyonyo, casting a shadow over the city’s sporting spotlight.
Guinea enters the match with momentum from a 1-0 victory over Niger in their Group C opener, but coach Souleymane Camara remains cautious, aware of the challenge posed by a wounded Uganda side.
“Just because we’re facing a team that lost their first match doesn’t mean it will be easy,” Camara told reporters at Namboole.
“They’ll come at us, and we’ll need to apply the best strategies to counter the support from their home fans. Our objective is clear: we want the three points. ”Uganda, reeling from a 2-1 defeat to Algeria in their opening match, is desperate to keep their knockout stage hopes alive.
Head coach Morley Byekwaso emphasized resilience despite the setback. “I prefer not to talk about the past but to focus on what lies ahead,” Byekwaso said during a pre-match press conference. “We know it’ll be a difficult game. We need to win to keep our hopes alive.”
He also noted that some players are recovering from minor injuries but expressed optimism about having a full squad available. “When you’re humiliated, it’s painful, but that’s part of football. I believe our fans will be with us tomorrow.
”The Cranes draw confidence from their 1-0 victory over Guinea at Namboole earlier this year during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, a result that could inspire their performance. A win would blow Group C wide open, while a loss could mark another disappointing campaign for Uganda, who have yet to advance beyond the group stage in seven CHAN appearances.
The match follows an earlier Group C clash at Namboole between heavyweights South Africa and Algeria, setting the stage for a thrilling double-header. Fans can secure tickets online via CAF’s ticketing portal, with prices ranging from UGX 10,000 (Ordinary) to UGX 50,000 (Premium), covering both matches on the day. However, only Ordinary tickets remain available for this fixture.
Off the pitch, Kampala is abuzz with news of Weasel Manizo’s alleged assault by Sandra Teta, who reportedly drove her Mercedes Benz toward the singer, causing a fracture. Teta is in custody at Kabalagala Police Station, and her vehicle has been impounded as police investigate the incident as a criminal offense. Weasel, currently receiving treatment at Nsambya Hospital, has added a layer of intrigue to the city’s atmosphere as fans rally for the Cranes’ crucial match.
With the home crowd expected to fill Namboole’s 32,000 seats, Uganda will lean on captain Allan Okello and the support of their passionate fans to overcome Guinea’s technical prowess and reignite their CHAN 2024 campaign.