The Uganda Cranes, together with the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024, have called on Ugandans to turn out in large numbers for the tournament’s semi-final matches tonight at Mandela National Stadium.
Addressing the media this morning at Uganda Media Centre, Dr. Denis K. Mugimba, the LOC Communication and Signage Subcommittee Chairperson, emphasized that Uganda’s elimination from the tournament does not mark the end of the country’s role as hosts. He noted that Uganda’s commitment to delivering a memorable CHAN experience remains strong.
“As a host nation, our responsibility extends beyond the Cranes’ participation. Hosting CHAN 2024 is about showcasing Uganda’s spirit, culture, and unity. We want fans to fill Namboole and keep the atmosphere lively as we move toward the final stages of the competition,” Dr. Mugimba said.
In a joint press conference, the players also joined the call to support. Allan Okello, Uganda’s top scorer at CHAN 2024, along with teammates Reagan Mpande, Joel Sserunjogi, and Rogers Torach, spoke at the conference. The trio described the tournament as a significant chapter in their careers.
“CHAN has given us the opportunity to create lasting memories,” Okello said.
He added, “Even though we are out of the competition, we encourage Ugandans to continue supporting the tournament. Let’s come together and make more memories by watching the semi-finals tonight and the closing ceremony on Friday.”
The semi-finals at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole, will feature a high-stakes match between Morocco and defending champions Senegal, while the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania, will host Madagascar against Sudan. Interestingly, all three host nations: Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania, were eliminated at the quarterfinal stage last week, leaving fans to rally behind the visiting teams before Saturday’s final.
With the Cranes out of the tournament, the LOC and players are urging Ugandans to embrace the spirit of unity and football celebration by showing up in large numbers, keeping the CHAN 2024 momentum alive until the very last whistle. whistle.