By Dennis Mabuka and Cafonline
While Kenya’s Harambee Stars kicked off their TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 win against DR Congo in the opening Group ‘A’ fixture at Kasarani Stadium on Sunday, Uganda’s Cranes were not so lucky, falling 0-3 to Algeria’s Desert Warriors in Group C on Monday.
Algeria dominated the match with goals by Bayazid, Meziane and Ghezala at the Mandela National Stadium.
Goals from Ayoub Ghezala, Abderrahmane Meziane and Soufiane Bayazid sealed the win for the North African giants, who once again displayed their tournament pedigree with an organised, composed and tactically efficient performance that left the Cranes chasing shadows.
The result marks Algeria’s third consecutive win over Uganda at CHAN, extending their unbeaten group stage record in the competition to seven matches.
For Uganda, it was a sobering return to familiar struggles, as their hunt for a first-ever knockout appearance at CHAN continues.
The opening exchanges were scrappy, with Uganda buoyed by the home crowd but unable to find early rhythm. Algeria, in contrast, settled into their passing game, and broke the deadlock in the 36th minute.
A well-delivered corner from Meziane found Ayoub Ghezala at the near post, and the midfielder’s glancing header beat goalkeeper Joel Mutakubwa at his near post to put Algeria ahead. It was a deserved lead for the Desert Foxes, who had begun to dominate territory and possession.
The Cranes responded with long-range efforts from Joel Sserunjogi and Patrick Kakande, but Zakaria Bouhalfaya in the Algerian goal was equal to the task, producing a smart save in first-half stoppage time to deny Kakande and preserve the lead at the break.
Uganda emerged with more urgency in the second half, but Algeria’s composure and compactness proved difficult to breach. As the hosts committed men forward, Algeria struck on the counter.
In the 76th minute, Meziane doubled the advantage with a cool left-footed finish after a clever lay-off from Messalla Merbah.
Just three minutes later, Bayazid put the result beyond doubt, slotting home from close range after good build-up play by Naoufel Khacef.
It was a punishing spell for Uganda, who had shown promise but were undone by lapses in defensive concentration and Algeria’s ruthless efficiency.
Despite the scoreline, Uganda had their moments. Midfielder Karim Watambala tested the Algerian defence with two shots from distance, and Gavin Kizito’s 60th-minute header forced Bouhalfaya into another smart save.
Substitutes Yunus Sentamu and Reagan Mpande added urgency in the closing stages, but Algeria’s backline—marshalled by Adem Alilet and Ilyés Chétti—held firm.
Uganda’s night ended in frustration as substitute Shafik Kwikiriza picked up a yellow card in stoppage time.
The Cranes now face a daunting task in Group C, with matches against Niger and South Africa to come.
The result extended Algeria’s remarkable CHAN record—now 10 clean sheets in 13 matches.
They have gone 712 minutes without conceding a goal in open play in the competition, with their last such concession coming in the 2011 third-place match against Sudan.
With key players like Meziane and Mahious firing and a system built on structure and game management, Algeria look well-positioned to challenge for the title they narrowly missed in 2022.
The result extended Algeria’s remarkable CHAN record—now 10 clean sheets in 13 matches.
They have gone 712 minutes without conceding a goal in open play in the competition, with their last such concession coming in the 2011 third-place match against Sudan.
With key players like Meziane and Mahious firing and a system built on structure and game management, Algeria look well-positioned to challenge for the title they narrowly missed in 2022.
In Nairobi, Gor Mahia midfielder Austin Odhiambo settled the tightly contested tie with a superbly taken goal in the 45th minute to hand the East African nation their first-ever CHAN victory and goal in the history of the tournament.
Stars’ players banked Sh1 million each in an incentive programme announced by President William Ruto for each victory in the tournament.
After revealing that he was under pressure to pick his starting XI for the fixture, Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy opted to start Byran Omondi between the sticks, with Daniel Sakari, Alphonse Omija, and captain Aboud Omar giving him protection.
In the midfield, the South African legend started Ryan Ogam, Austin Odhiambo, Alpha Onyango, and Suleiman Okwaro while Masoud Juma and Daniel Sakwa led the striking force.
With a huge crowd rallying behind them, it was the Leopards under coach Otis N’Goma, who started strongly and managed to put the ball in the net with only five minutes played but the goal was disallowed.
A defensive mistake by Kenya enabled Jephté Kitambala Bola to score past the stranded Omondi. However, after match referee Jelly Alfred Chavani from South Africa consulted his assistant, the goal was ruled out for offside to the chagrin of the Kenyan fans.
After the disallowed goal, Kenya started to raid DR Congo and a move initiated by Austin Odhiambo found Sakari in the right wing, the player turned and fed Sakwa, who was unmarked but the latter’s effort was weak to trouble keeper Brudel Efonge Liyongo.
Kenya continued to dominate the midfield but were not able to go beyond DR Congo’s danger zone. In the 20th minute, Odhiambo’s delivery from a free-kick just outside the area found Juma, but his glancing header went inches wide.
Harambee Stars continued to keep possession, while DR Congo resorted to defending while waiting for counterattacks.
. In the 30th minute, DR Congo almost stunned Kenya when Mbiyeye Bisamuna’s long range effort found keeper Omondi out of his line, but the unattached custodian quickly backtracked to punch the ball out for a fruitless corner.
With the game headed for a draw in the first half, Kenya had other ideas. Austin Odhiambo found the back of the net, finishing off a cross from Juma.
The goal was the final action of the half as Kenya headed into the half-time break leading the two-time CHAN champions 1-0.
The second period started with DR Congo looking the more dangerous side looking to level matters.
The first chance fell to Kitambala, but he squandered it after putting his effort over the bar.
After the miss, Kitambala, who plays for Maniema Union, wasted another glorious opportunity after he rattled the woodwork after being set up by Heltone Kayembe, who had just come on for Josué Kazema.
In the 58th minute, the Republic of Congo continued to attack Kenya forcing coach McCarthy to make a double change, bringing in Boniface Muchiri and Marvin Omondi for Juma and Okwaro.
The Communications Unit at Pamoja Africa is dedicated to bringing fans timely, accurate, and inspiring stories from across the African football scene. Passionate about celebrating CHAN’24 and AFCON’27 editions lated for East Africa. The team curates news, features, and exclusive insights that connect audiences to the heart of African football.
