Tears to triumph: Uganda’s CHAN 2024 journey, road to AFCON 2027

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OPINION

By Pamela Ankunda

Let me start with a little bias: I’m a football fan, I love and support Express FC, and every once in a while, I go watch the matches. To support the Cranes, you really must start supporting local football clubs. But this piece is only about CHAN!

The African Nations Championship (CHAN) swept across Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania like a storm of football passion, uniting nations under the spirit of the game. Unfortunately, the journey for all three East African countries in the tournament came to an end after they were all respectively knocked out in the quarter-finals. Pamoja in defeat thought.

But for Uganda, the tournament has been more than just football — it has been a mirror reflecting who we are as a people: diverse, divided at times by politics, ethnicities, economic disparities, among other things, but ultimately bound together by love for our country and the beautiful game.

With the political season already heating up at home, some feared that tensions would spill over into the tournament's set-up. CHAN has, however, shown us another face of Uganda, the face that we all want to live-TOGETHERNESS-the pamoja-ness. The roars at Mandela National Stadium with every home goal and triumph, the songs on the streets of Kampala, the sea of red, black, and yellow jerseys — these moments reminded us that football is one of the few things that transcends political divides. For ninety minutes, Ugandans became one family as they suffered and jubilated together, every tear, every laughter, every hope- it was Ugandan.

A night to remember: South Africa vs Uganda

The turning point of the tournament came against South Africa. With qualification to the knockout phase hanging by thread and almost crushed, Uganda clawed back from 3–1 down to draw 3–3 in a thrilling game. This secured qualification to the quarter-finals for the first time in the country's history.


The drama of VAR, the late penalty by Allan Okello, and the last-minute equaliser by Rogers Torach, also from the spot, sent the country into ecstasy. Fans in the stadium cried and hugged strangers; those at home were glued to their screens in disbelief. Even First Lady Janet Museveni, present in the stands, joined in the celebrations, later praising the Cranes for making history.

The pain of defeat

But football’s joy also comes with heartbreak. Uganda’s fall to Senegal in the knockout stage stung like a thorn. The silence after the final whistle told the story of a nation that had dared to believe. Yet, even in defeat, the Cranes had already written themselves into history books — and given Ugandans something to hold on to. Although the West Africans progressed to the semis courtesy of a narrow 1-0 win, the Cranes can be proud that they went toe to toe with the defending champions.

A precursor to AFCON 2027

CHAN was not just about today’s excitement; it was also a rehearsal for the future. Uganda, together with Kenya and Tanzania, are set to host the prestigious Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 2027. Therefore, CHAN offered us a glimpse of what lies ahead: better organisation, bigger stadiums like Hoima Stadium and Akii-Bua in Lira coming up, and the opportunity to welcome global stars who will showcase their talent before millions of eyes. Apparently, if CHAN could spark such unity and emotion, AFCON will surely take it to another level — spreading joy across every corner of Uganda.

The economic ripple effect

But football is also not just about entertainment; beyond the football pitch, CHAN fuelled a chain of economic opportunities. There were street vendors selling flags and vuvuzelas, youth branding and imprinting jerseys, boda-boda riders ferrying fans to stadiums, and hotels filling up with visitors. They all cashed in on the moment. This, without a doubt, demonstrated the untapped potential of sports as an engine of job creation. In a country where unemployment continues to challenge the youth, government investment in sports infrastructure and talent development is not just about entertainment — it’s about livelihoods.

The Paradise Hotel debate

Well, not everything was smooth and merry. FUFA’s decision to host the Cranes at Paradise Hotel in Kisaasi drew public criticism, especially when other teams were housed in five-star facilities like Golden Tulip and Sheraton. Many Ugandans questioned whether the national team deserved better treatment.

However, FUFA President Moses Magogo defended the choice, arguing that the hotel provided privacy, controlled access, and fewer distractions — which he said were more important for player focus than luxury. The debate revealed how closely Ugandans watch over their team and how issues of accountability cannot be ignored. It's waiting to see if the Federation will opt for this hotel, which has housed the Cranes for over 5 years in the AFCON tournament. Works are still ongoing on it to make it even better, according to Magogo.

The heart of the people

Yet, amid all these challenges, one fact stands tall: Ugandans love their country and their football deeply, regardless of anything. Tickets for the Uganda matches sold out within hours. Fans turned Mandela National Stadium into a synagogue of joy, colour, and hope. That passion cannot be bought, hoarded, or faked — it is the true foundation on which Ugandan football must be built.

Looking ahead to AFCON 2027

As the final whistle of CHAN draws nearer, Uganda and East Africa must look to AFCON 2027 with renewed energy. CHAN has taught us valuable lessons — the importance of unity, the potential of sports as an economic engine, and the need to address our weaknesses before the continental spotlight shines even brighter.

AFCON will definitely be bigger, louder, and more demanding. However, it will also be a chance to showcase to Africa and the world what Uganda, with her neighbours, can achieve when united by purpose. The rollercoaster of CHAN has left us with many emotions ranging from laughter, tears, frustrations, and triumphs — but most importantly, it has left us with belief. And as we all know that in football, just as is in nation-building, belief is everything.

The writer is an Express FC fan and the outgoing press secretary/Vice President of Uganda.