Algeria began their African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 campaign in dominant fashion, securing a 3-0 victory against hosts Uganda at the Mandela National Stadium. The match, which served as the highly-anticipated opener for Group C, saw Algeria's superior organization and clinical finishing overwhelm the Uganda Cranes.
Algeria, the 2022 CHAN finalists, took a 1-0 lead into halftime with a goal from their captain, Ghezala. The Desert Foxes continued to press in the second half, with Meziane and Bayazid adding two more goals to seal a comfortable win.
The result is a disappointing start for Uganda, who were hoping to leverage home-field advantage to break their historic CHAN group-stage curse. The Cranes have now failed to advance past the group stage in all seven of their CHAN appearances. Despite the loss, Uganda's head coach Morley Byekwaso emphasized the importance of home support, stating that his team is "determined not to let them down."
Algeria, meanwhile, showed why they are considered strong contenders for the title. Coach Madjid Bougherra's squad displayed tactical discipline and a strong defensive unit, which proved too much for the hosts to handle. The victory puts Algeria in a strong position in a tough Group C, which also includes Niger and South Africa.
Looking ahead, Uganda will need to regroup quickly for their next match against Guinea, while Algeria will face South Africa.
