The dream of an East African triumph at the ongoing CHAN 2024 tournament has collapsed dramatically, after Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania the three co-hosting nations were all eliminated within just 24 hours.
Uganda Cranes were the last to fall, bowing out on home soil at the Mandela National Stadium, Namboole, after a narrow 1–0 defeat to continental heavyweights Senegal.
The loss shattered the region’s last remaining hope, sending thousands of fans into silence and leaving Namboole drenched in disappointment.
Earlier in Nairobi, Kenya’s Harambee Stars suffered heartbreak in a tense quarterfinal clash against Madagascar. After a 1–1 draw in regulation time, the hosts were bundled out in a dramatic penalty shootout, further deepening East Africa’s woes.
In Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s Taifa Stars had also been edged out by Morocco, losing 1–0 in a closely contested battle that left their supporters gutted but proud of their fight.
The back-to-back exits of the three host nations have left East African football fans in a sombre mood, many expressing disbelief that the much-anticipated “home advantage” failed to produce a single semifinalist.
“We thought at least one of our teams would go all the way, but football can be cruel. This is heartbreaking,” said Sofia Nalukenge a Ugandan supporter outside Namboole after the Cranes’ elimination.
With the co-hosts now out, the spotlight shifts to visiting teams, as the tournament edges closer to crowning a new continental champion.
