South Africa’s CHAN 2024 journey came to a painful end in Kampala on Monday night after Bafana Bafana conceded two stoppage-time penalties – allowing Uganda to snatch a dramatic 3-3 draw and advance to the quarter-finals as Group C winners.
In front of a passionate 34,000-strong home crowd at the Mandela National Stadium, Bafana produced a spirited display and came within minutes of completing a remarkable turnaround. Having trailed 1-0 at half-time following Jude Ssemugabi’s opener on the counter-attack, the South Africans emerged revitalised after the break and completely changed the course of the match.
Ramahlwe Mphahlele levelled the score in the 52nd minute with a scrappy finish – awarded after a VAR check – before Thabiso Kutumela found space with a clever run six minutes later to put Bafana 2-1 ahead. When Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo produced a brilliant long-range chip in the 83rd minute to extend the lead to 3-1, it looked like South Africa were on their way to a famous victory and a place in the last eight.
But the hosts refused to give up and the match took a cruel twist for Bafana. Allan Okello pulled one back in the 86th minute from the penalty spot after a high boot by Keagan Johannes, giving Uganda renewed hope and lifting the noise in the stadium to deafening levels. Then, in the 96th minute, a desperate Ugandan attack saw a shot strike Menzi Masuku on the arm – and after consultation with VAR, the referee pointed to the spot again. Towering defender Rogers Torach converted, sparking wild celebrations and sealing Uganda’s qualification.
While Uganda top the group with seven points, Algeria and South Africa both finish on six – but Bafana are eliminated on goal difference. It’s a devastating end for Molefi Ntseki’s men, who were minutes away from progressing to the knockouts for the first time.
From a South African perspective, the performance showed great courage and attacking quality, but the inability to close the game out will sting. However, with young players stepping up on the continental stage, there were certainly positives to take despite the heartbreak.
Uganda, on the other hand, make CHAN history by reaching the quarter-finals for the first time. Driven by the creative spark of Okello and their never-say-die attitude, they now head into the last eight believing that their dream run on home soil could continue.
Bafana will return home knowing how close they came – and that the margins at this level are unforgiving.
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