Down Memory Lane: When Uganda stunned Senegal at CHAN 2022

It was a cold, wet Wednesday night in Annaba, Algeria, when Uganda carved out one of its most memorable victories at the African Nations Championship (CHAN).

Forward Milton Karisa and goalkeeper Legason Alionzi were the heroes as the Cranes shocked continental giants Senegal 1-0.

Karisa, the captain, struck in the 33rd minute after Senegal defender Cheikhou Ndiaye inadvertently helped him push a lofted ball past goalkeeper Pape Sy. Earlier, Alionzi had kept Uganda alive with a superb penalty save, diving low to his left to deny Cheikh Sidibe.

Drama continued in the second half. Uganda briefly celebrated a penalty award after Ndiaye fouled Karisa, but VAR overturned the decision. Senegal’s frustration grew, and they finished with ten men after Libasse Ngom was shown a straight red card for a reckless studs-up challenge.

Karisa’s strike turned out to be the only goal of the night in a matchday double-header at Annaba’s 19 May Stadium. The earlier fixture between two-time champions DR Congo and Ivory Coast ended goalless.

The result left Group B finely poised: Uganda on top with four points, Senegal on three, DR Congo on two, and Ivory Coast on one. All four teams still had a chance to qualify for the quarter-finals.

For Uganda, however, a draw in their final group match against Ivory Coast in Algiers would be enough to reach the last eight, something they had never achieved before after five consecutive first-round exits.

The victory was historic. Before defeating Senegal, Uganda had only managed one win in 15 CHAN group matches against Burkina Faso nine years earlier in South Africa.

On the touchline was Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojević, the Serbia-born coach and veteran of CHAN tournaments. Having guided Zambia to the quarter-finals in 2021, he now stood on the brink of steering Uganda into uncharted territory.

Elsewhere in the group, Ivory Coast also finished a man down after Mohamed Zougrana was dismissed for a second bookable offense against the Congolese.

That night in Annaba remains etched in memory—when Karisa’s strike and Alionzi’s heroics lifted Uganda from CHAN underachievers to genuine contenders.