The recent CAF decision has been deemed biased and anti-sport because the use of banned instruments makes the game lively and interesting.
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Uganda is today facing off with Algeria in the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship 2024, a match slated at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole today at 8:00pm.
However, in what is referred to as an unfair decision by the organisers from the fans of the Uganda Cranes, a host team, the organisers have banned the use of vuvuzelas, drums and whistles from the stadiums which are hosting the CHAN games.
Rogers Mulindwa, one of the representatives of CAF in Uganda has urged the fans intending to go to Namboole to support their teams to ensure that they adhere to the set guidelines by CAF.
The recent CAF decision has been deemed biased and anti-sport because the use of banned instruments makes the game lively and interesting.
“The unfair decision for CHAN 2 ban Vuvuzelas, drums & whistles from stadiums will give us a dull Cup without Fan Vibe & engagement. It cuts off fan team spirit plus killing the Ug drum culture of celebration!” comments Stephen Birimunda, a radio sports analyst.
Apart from Uganda Cranes, Group C has Algeria, Niger and Guinea. Uganda Cranes joins this year’s CHAN competitions with intentions to go past the group stages, a development the team has never recorded before.
The highly anticipated group C fixture will see a repeat of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier played earlier this year which the Algerians won 2-1 at the same venue.
With co-hosts Tanzania and Kenya starting on a high knot with wins over Burkina Faso and DR Congo respectively, Uganda needs to emulate the results.
Allan Okello who will lead the team is confident of victory although he admits the quality in the Desert Foxes squad.
“We have had very good preparations and we are ready,” he told the press. “The team we face has a lot of quality players but if we want to go far in the tournament, we must get a good result against them,” he added.
Okello who played in Algeria with AC Paradou knows a thing or two about the opponents but says limiting mistakes will be the best key for today’s positive results.
“When we played them in the World Cup qualifiers, we made silly mistakes in the second half despite having a very good performance in the first half.
“I know we shall make mistakes again but not ones that will cost us the game.”
His coach Morley Byekwaso, the first local tactician to lead Uganda at the tournament also believes that playing at home means making history.
“Playing here means we must make history and make it through the group,” he started. “We want to do our best to qualify and with fans behind us, we are hosts, we are at home and this is our first game, we need to win because it is important in the tournament,” he added.
Meanwhile, Algeria coach Majid Bougherra spoke highly of the hospitality received so far and wants a full capacity stadium on the day.
“Thank you, Uganda, for the warm welcome. I am very happy to start the competition with Uganda, the hosts and I know it will be a tough game,” he said.
“We want to play in a full stadium as that will give us motivation to do well.”
- Uganda and Algeria have met once in the CHAN with the Desert Foxes winning 2-0 in Sudan in 2011.
Earlier on the day, Guinea will entertain Niger at Namboole in a group C opening match.
Uganda Cranes Probable XI
Mutakubwa (GK), Gavin, Mukundane, Odong, Achai, Sserujongi, Ssebagala, Okello ©, Ssemugabi, Sentamu, Kakande.