How Algeria exposed Uganda’s tactical flaws in CHAN 2024

Uganda Cranes were given a footballing lesson by Algeria’s Desert Foxes on Monday night during a humiliating 3-0 defeat in their CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 Group C opening match at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole.

In front of an expectant home crowd, the Cranes were tactically outclassed and physically dominated, with many pointing to questionable team selection by CHAN head coach Morley Byekwaso as a major factor in the disappointing performance.

While not undermining the capabilities of the players selected, the starting eleven simply failed to rise to the occasion, with most falling short of the standards required at this level. The match plan appeared shaky from the start.

Goalkeeper Joel Mutakubwa, can be excused for the three goals he conceded because the defenders shielding him made several defensive mistakes. Right-back Gavin Kizito, though correctly given a starting spot, struggled throughout the match yet was left on the pitch throughout the entire match, despite teammate Lazaro Muhindo being available on the bench.

Similarly, the choice to start Gideon Odongo at left-back ahead of more physically imposing options like BUL’s Nicholas Mwere or KCCA’s Herbert Achai raised eyebrows. Odongo was frequently outpaced and outmuscled, especially by Algeria’s Abderrahmane Meziane, who persistently switched flanks to exploit both Ugandan fullbacks and eventually got on the scoresheet in the second half.

In midfield, Uganda lacked the compactness and coordination needed to disrupt Algeria’s fluid passing game. Joel Sserunjogi was deployed in a defensive role, with Enock Ssebaggala operating as a holding midfielder and team captain Allan Okello offering support. The trio laboured to contain Algeria’s tempo and movement, holding out for the first 30 minutes before conceding from a corner. Algerian captain Ayoub Ghezala was left unmarked by Odongo and headed home in the 35th minute to give his side a deserved lead.

Coach Byekwaso’s tactical gamble of using only one outright defensive midfielder backfired. Okello, usually more effective in an advanced playmaker role, was forced to drop deeper, to support Sserunjogi and Ssebaggala which limited his creativity.

The second half saw a much-needed change as Jude Ssemugabi, who had struggled to link up with striker Emmanuel Anyama, and Patrick Kakande was replaced by Abdulkarim Watambala. The adjustment brought temporary improvement. The midfield looked more balanced, and Okello finally found room to orchestrate attacking moves.

However, Uganda failed to translate possession into meaningful chances. Algeria, more technically gifted and tactically disciplined, punished Uganda on the break. In the 75th and 78th minutes, Meziane and Soufiane Bayazid struck in similar fashion, capitalising on defensive mistakes and swift counter-attacks to seal a 3-0 victory.

Some of Byekwaso’s substitutions were also questionable. Replacing Ssebaggala with Shafik Kwikiriza in the 74th minute disrupted the midfield balance just before Algeria scored their second and third goals. Additionally, introducing Reagan Mpande and Arafat Usama too late in the match was a poor decision. Both forwards were given only four minutes which rendered their presence ineffective. With his creativity and shooting ability, Usama should have been brought on much earlier.

Another puzzling call was the preference for Anyama who was making his senior national team debut over the vastly experienced Yunus Sentamu. Anyama struggled to make an impact against Algeria’s solid backline.

Monday's result also revealed a deeper issue: a lack of proper scouting and preparation. Algeria punished Uganda with similar counter-attacking goals as in their previous visit to Namboole during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, when they won 2-1. Uganda appeared to have learned little from that experience.

While many fans anticipated a difficult match against a technically superior Algeria, few expected such a convincing defeat. Even Byekwaso acknowledged the gulf in class.

“The truth is that Algeria is stronger than us. We still have a long way to reach the level of these Arab teams,” admitted a group of Uganda Cranes supporters after the match.

“We are still lacking the quality and link-up play between midfield and attack to trouble and break down defences. We are going to work on that, and I will make sure that we do not repeat today’s mistakes in the next game,” said Byekwaso during his post-match reactions.

The defeat left Uganda at the bottom of Group C with zero points and a goal difference of -3. To stay in contention for a knockout stage spot, the Cranes must avoid defeat in their next match against Guinea on Friday. Guinea defeated Niger 1-0 in their opening match earlier on Monday and jointly top the group with Algeria on three points each. South Africa is the fourth team in this group, and will start their campaign also on Friday against Algeria.

CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024

Pamoja (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda)

August 2-30

Monday

Uganda 0 Algeria 3

Niger 0 Guinea 1

Today

Burkina Faso v Central African Republic (CAR) 5pm

Mauritania v Tanzania 8pm

Tomorrow

Democratic Republic Congo (DRC) v Zambia 4pm

Angola v Kenya 7pm