Algeria began their TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) PAMOJA 2024 campaign with a dominant 3-0 victory over co-hosts Uganda at the Nelson Mandela National Stadium in Kampala on Monday evening.
The North African side scored through Ayoub Ghezala, Abderrahmane Meziane, and Soufiane Bayazid to register a convincing win and extend their unbeaten run in CHAN group stage matches to seven.
Algeria’s victory was built on tactical discipline and clinical finishing, with the team now boasting ten clean sheets in their last 13 CHAN matches.
The match opened with Uganda attempting to harness the energy of the home crowd, but Algeria settled more quickly into the contest. The breakthrough came in the 36th minute when Meziane’s corner found Ghezala, whose near-post header beat Uganda goalkeeper Joel Mutakubwa.
Uganda responded with long-range efforts from Joel Sserunjogi and Patrick Kakande, but Algerian goalkeeper Zakaria Bouhalfaya made a key save in first-half stoppage time to keep his side ahead at the break.
The Cranes started the second half with renewed intensity but struggled to penetrate Algeria’s well-organised defence. The visitors capitalised on Uganda’s offensive push in the final quarter of the match.
Meziane doubled Algeria’s lead in the 76th minute with a left-footed strike after being set up by Messalla Merbah. Just three minutes later, Bayazid completed the scoring with a composed finish following a well-worked move involving Naoufel Khacef.
Despite the defeat, Uganda created several chances. Midfielder Karim Watambala threatened with shots from distance, and Gavin Kizito’s header midway through the second half forced another save from Bouhalfaya. Late substitute appearances from Yunus Sentamu and Reagan Mpande added urgency, but Algeria’s defence, led by Adem Alilet and Ilyés Chétti, remained unbreached.
Shafik Kwikiriza received a yellow card in stoppage time to cap a frustrating night for the hosts.
Uganda now faces a challenging path in Group C, with upcoming matches against South Africa and Niger. Algeria, meanwhile, will take on Niger next and could secure early qualification for the knockout stage with another win.
