The Uganda Cranes were sent packing out of the 2022 Chan tournament after a 3-1 defeat against Ivory Coast, denying them a historical progress to the quarter finals.
Goals from man of the match William Sankara, and Vignon Ouotro in the first half had Ivory Coast comfortable in a two-nil lead until midfielder Moses Waiswa converted on the spot for Uganda to reignite the chase after pulling back one.
The Cranes needed only a draw to qualify for the next round as the second best team in group B but a staggering backline and wasteful forward had the Micho coached side finish third with four points in the bag.
Uganda beat Senegal 1-0 and drew 0-0 against DR Congo to make the four points in their sixth appearance in the CHAN tournament.
It is also the sixth time that Uganda are failing to go past the groups in the championship that only features players trading their ply in the different African local Leagues.
Despite the six caps, Uganda were still the surprise team in group B and had not conceded a goal until facing Senegal.
“Whatever we have done in the last two games could turn out meaningless if we do not get a good result against Ivory Coast.” Said Cranes’ Head Coach Milutin Sredojevic ahead of the do or die and in the end, the result was truly against his camp at full time.
However not all is lost for Uganda as they have had a shot at exposure for many players who now eye big offers following their display.
Names like Travis Mutyaba, and Nafian Alionzi who has been phenomenal in the posts for the Cranes can’t go unmentioned among others.
In the other thrills, Senegal beat DR Congo 3-0 to advance to the knock out stages as group leaders alongside Ivory Coast who qualified as second best with four points, same as Uganda.
On Friday Ivory Coast will face the hosts Algeria in the quarter final as the Lions of Teranga wait for Monday results to lock-in their opponents.
