CHAN 2024: Uganda to meet holders Senegal in quarter-finals

__________________
 2024 AFRICAN NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIP 

 TUESDAY (AUGUST 19) GROUP D RESULTS 
🇳🇬 Nigeria 2-0 Congo 🇨🇬
🇸🇩 Sudan 0-0 Senegal 🇸🇳
_________________________________

And then there were eight! The full cast of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 knockout stage is now known, following the progression of Sudan and Senegal from Group D on Tuesday (August 19).

It also means that co-hosts Uganda, still soaking up their historic passage from the group stage of this competition, will meet defending champions Senegal in the quarter-finals this Saturday (August 23) at Mandela National Stadium in Kampala. On the same day, Algeria, who finished behind The Cranes in Group C, will duel with Sudan at Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar City.

By the start of Saturday, two semi-finalists will have already been identified.

Co-hosts Kenya will battle against Madagascar at Moi International Sports Centre in Nairobi on Friday (August 22) while Tanzania, also co-hosts, will face off with Morocco at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam the same day.

How they reached the knockout stage

Here is how each of the eight quarter-finalists made it to the last-eight:
____________________________

 GROUP A 

KENYA 🇰🇪

Kenya kicked off their campaign by stunning pre-tournament Group A favorites and two-time champions DR Congo in a 1-0 result. Austin Odhiambo scored his way into Kenyan history books with Harambee Stars' first ever goal in this competition.

Odhiambo was again on the scoresheet — this time from the penalty spot — as the co-hosts drew 1-1 with Angola in their second game.

Three days later, Benni McCarthy's side produced yet another shock: defeating another giant in the form of two-time winners Morocco in a game in which Ryan Ogam scored the lone goal to push Kenya on the brink of qualification at the first time of asking.

Harambee Stars secured their quarterfinal spot in their final group game against Zambia, Ogam once again scoring the only and winning goal.

MOROCCO 🇲🇦

Morocco, joint-record winners of this competition, got their campaign off to a winning start against Angola in a game in which Imad Riahi opened the scoring, before Joaqium Quinito's own goal sealed the victory.

After losing 1-0 to co-hosts Kenya in their second game, the Atlas Lions regrouped for beat Zambia 3-1 in their third. Mohamed Hrimat netted first in the opening half stoppage time, Oussama Lamlioui improved the lead, before Sabir Bougrine's stoppage time sealed the three points after Chipolopolo had threatened a comeback.

Morocco produced an identical result in their make-or-break final group game against DR Congo. In that one, Lamlioui's two goals on either end of the interval sandwiched teammate Hrimat's 70th-minute penalty.
____________________________

 GROUP B 

TANZANIA 🇹🇿

Abdul Sopu scored the first goal of CHAN 2024 and teammate Mohamed Husseini "Zimbwe Jr" the second as co-hosts Tanzania dispatched Burkina Faso to get the tournament well and truly under way.

In their second match, against Mauritania, Taifa Stars needed a very, very late goal by Shomari Kapombe to snatch maximum points and keep their momentum going.

Three days later, Tanzania stretched their winning streak, thanks to Clement Mzize's first-half brace against Madagascar in a 2-1 result that was enough to send Taifa Stars into the quarterfinals. And the co-hosts wrapped up their group phase with a dead rubber duel against already-eliminated Central African Republic.

MADAGASCAR 🇲🇬

Madagascar started their second CHAN campaign with a goalless draw with Mauritania. It then down south for Barea as their second game ended in a 2-1 defeat to co-hosts Tanzania. Nantenaina Razafimahatana's 34th-minute goal halved his side's deficit but a comeback was not successful.

Madagascar got their campaign back on track with a 2-0 win over Central African Republic in their third game, the late goals scored by Toky Rakotondraibe and Lalaina Rafanomezantsoa.

And in a must-win final group game, Madagascar reigned supreme over already-eliminated Burkina Faso to beat Mauritania to the second qualification spot. Fenohasina Razafimaro's seventh-minute opener laid the foundation for Rafanomezantsoa to wrap up a 2-1 victory over The Stallions.
____________________________

 GROUP C 

UGANDA 🇺🇬

Uganda, playing at home as tournament co-hosts, failed to ignite their campaign with an opening 0-3 defeat to Algeria.

But The Cranes regrouped and managed to finally take flight with a 3-0 win over Guinea in their second game. Reagan Mpande opened Uganda's goals account in the first half, Allan Okello made it two from the spot in the 62nd minute, before Ivan Ahimbisibwe completed the rout a minute to end of regulation time.

Morley Byekwaso's side were back in action three days later to build on their momentum with a 2-0 victory over Niger. Okello opened the scoring by reacting quickest seconds after seeing his penalty saved, before Joel Sserunjogi netted the winner in the second half.

Uganda came into their final group game knowing they only needed to avoid defeat against South Africa to qualify for the knockout stage for the first time in seven appearances. 

In that one, Jude Ssemugabi put the co-hosts in front 31 minutes into the contest. But after seeing their lead cancelled out and trailing by two goals in the space of 31 second-half minutes, Okello and captain Rogers Torach stepped forward to courageously inspire Uganda into the quarterfinals by converting two late penalties, respectively.

ALGERIA 🇩🇿

Algeria got off to a blistering start, their 3-0 victory over co-hosts Uganda sending out a bold message of intent to their group challengers. Ayoub Ghezala broke the deadlock nine minutes before the break. Abderrahmane Meziane Bentahar improved the Algerians's lead with 14 minutes left on the clock, before Sofiane Bayazid put the contest to bed three minutes later.

But the Desert Foxes saw their campaign hit a speed bump as they drew 1-1 with South Africa in their second game. Abdennour Belhocini had his 29th-minute opener cancelled out by Bafana Bafana.

Algeria were once again slowed, rather uncharacteristically, by Guinea in their third game, which ended 1-1. Bayazid scored two minutes before time to salvage a point for the Desert Foxes.

In a tight group, Algeria went in for their final group game keen on beating already-ejected Niger to guarantee their passage to the knockout stage. But for a third successive game, the North African side had to share the spoils in a goalless result. Despite not winning, Algeria secured the second qualification spot at the expense of South Africa.
____________________________

 GROUP D 

SUDAN 🇸🇩

Playing in the only group of four teams, Sudan had a lukewarm start to their campaign as they settled for a 1-1 draw with Congo. Musa Kanti opened the scoring 29 minutes into the game for a Sudanese lead that survived until four minutes before time when the contest-settling equalizer arrived.

In their second match, Sudan were firing on all cylinders as they demolished Nigeria 4-0 — the rout started by a 25th-minute own goal. Walieldin Khidir improved the lead from the spot at the death of first half. Abdel Raouf's brace on the other end of the interval sealed a huge victory for The Nile Crocodiles.

In their final group game, Sudan secured the top group spot after playing out a goalless draw with Senegal.

SENEGAL 🇸🇳

Senegal began their title defence with a 1-0 win over Nigeria, thanks to Christian Gomis' 75th-minute strike.

A week later, the Lions of Teranga were held 1-1 by Congo. Trailing for the majority of the game, Senegal were rescued by Joseph Layousse eight minutes before time to boost their qualification hopes.

Senegal finished second and advanced after their final group duel with Sudan ended goalless.