East Africa’s historic tri-hosting of the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) has taken a painful twist, with Kenya, Tanzania, and now Uganda all bowing out at the quarter-final stage. Uganda were the last to fall, suffering a narrow 1-0 defeat to defending champions Senegal on Saturday evening, August 23, 2025, at the Mandela National Stadium in Kampala.

The Cranes, cheered on by over 35,000 fans, gave everything in a pulsating contest but were undone by a moment of Senegalese quality. In the 62nd minute, Libasse Guèye’s teasing cross eluded the Ugandan backline and substitute Oumar Ba ghosted in at the far post to fire past Joel Mutakubwa.

Uganda had their chances to level, with Allan Okello rattling the crossbar, Gavin Kizito heading just wide, and substitutes Ivan Ahimbisibwe and Arnold Odong both forcing saves from goalkeeper Marc Diouf in a frantic finale. But Senegal’s defensive steel, marshalled by Seyni Ndiaye and Joseph Layousse, held firm to silence the home crowd.

Historic yet heartbreaking exit

The defeat was bittersweet for the Cranes. On one hand, it ended their hopes of a fairytale semi-final on home soil. On the other, it capped a historic run, Uganda had never reached this stage in six previous CHAN appearances, and topping a group that included Algeria and South Africa showcased the team’s progress. As the final whistle blew, the players were applauded off the pitch, recognition of a campaign that restored pride despite the heartbreak.

Uganda’s exit followed Fridays’s setbacks for their co-hosting neighbors. In Nairobi, Kenya’s Harambee Stars lost 4-3 on penalties to Madagascar after a 1-1 draw.

At the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s Taifa Stars were edged 1-0 by Morocco. Despite chances from Clement Nzize and Feisal Salum, the North Africans advanced thanks to Oussama Lamlaoui’s clinical strike in the 65th minute.

With all three co-hosts now eliminated, East Africa’s hopes rest on Sudan, who face Algeria in Zanzibar in the final quarter-final. Meanwhile, Senegal’s victory books them a semi-final clash against Madagascar as they continue their title defense.

For Uganda, coach Morley Byekwaso struck a note of optimism after the match:

“We will learn and come back stronger.”