At a time when Uganda Cranes struggled to return to the continental table and dine with the big football wigs at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the nation always found solace in winning the CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup. And when the African Nations Championships (CHAN) rolled off in 2009, there was more soothing to the soul.
Even then, it was not until 2011 when the Cranes debuted at CHAN in Sudan, only managing a goal in three group stages matches.Recovery back to AFCON after 39 years in Gabon 2017 came after three successive appearances at CHAN.
Unfortunately; Uganda has never made it out of the first blocks at this tournament set for home based players.That’s the bitter history that new Cranes gaffer Sebastien Desabre confronts as Uganda pursues an elusive journey at this year’s edition in Morocco.
The Cranes kick-off the competition with familiar opponents Zambia, a Group B encounter at Stade de Marrakech on Sunday.Both sides faced off during the 2016 edition in Rwanda and the Chipolopolo triumphed 1-0 with Christopher Katongo netting the winner.
Katongo is the face that had haunted the Cranes during the first leg of the 2013 AFCON qualifiers. But Uganda could have found revenge when they beat Zambia 2-0 in Kitwe during the 2017 COSAFA U20 Championships last December.
However, new man Desabre has his work cut out following dough friendly results with a 1-1 draw with Guinea and a 1-0 loss to Congo all this week.
“We have had two-faced matches but it’s been good preparation,” Desabre said. “We are focused on our first game.”
There is a positive vibe in the camp though. “We have tried to improve tactically and get along with the tactics the new coach wants,” said midfielder Sadam Juma.
“We are positive despite the loss to Congo and by Sunday, we’ll be able to fix what we did not manage.”
Meanwhile, 2009 bronze medalists Zambia are under the guidance of Wedson Nyirenda.
2018 CHAN
GROUP STAGE FIXTURES
Jan 13
Morocco vs. Mauritania, 22:30
Jan 14
Guinea vs. Sudan, 17:30
Ivory Coast vs. Namibia, 19:30
Zambia vs. Uganda, 22:30
Jan 15
Libya vs. Equatorial Guinea, 19:30
Nigeria vs. Rwanda, 22:30
Jan 16
Angola vs. Burkina Faso, 19:30
Cameroon vs. Congo, 22:30
Jan 17
Morocco vs. Guinea, 19:30
Sudan vs. Mauritania, 22:30
Jan 18
Ivory Coast vs. Zambia, 19:30
Uganda vs. Namibia, 22:30
Jan 19
Libya vs. Nigeria, 19:30
Rwanda vs. Equatorial Guinea, 22:30
Jan 20
Angola vs. Cameroon, 19:30
Congo vs. Burkina Faso, 22:30
Jan 21
Mauritania vs. Guinea, 22:00
Sudan vs. Morocco, 22:00
Jan 22
Namibia vs. Zambia, 22:00
Uganda vs. Ivory Coast, 22:00
Jan 23
Equatorial Guinea vs. Nigeria, 22:00
Rwanda vs. Libya, 22:00
Jan 24
Burkina Faso vs. Cameroon, 22:00
Congo vs. Angola, 22:00
UGANDA AT CHAN
2011 SUDAN
Uganda 0-2 Algeria
Uganda 0-1 Sudan
Uganda 1-2 Gabon
2014 SOUTH AFRICA
Uganda 2-1 Burkina Faso
Uganda 0-0 Zimbabwe
Uganda 1-3 Morocco
2016 RWANDA
Uganda 2-2 Mali
Uganda 0-1 Zambia
Uganda 1-1 Zimbabwe
CAST OF WINNERS
2009 Ivory Coast: DR Congo
2011 Sudan: Tunisia
2014 South Africa: Libya
2016 Rwanda: DR Congo