Kampala, Uganda: Uganda Cranes mounted a historic late comeback to hold South Africa 3-3 in a six-goal thriller at Mandela National Stadium on Monday, sealing top spot in Group C and qualifying for the quarterfinals of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) for the first time.
The dramatic contest saw Bafana Bafana turn around a 1-0 deficit to lead 3-1 until the 88th minute, but the Cranes stunned the visitors with two quickfire goals from the spot to confirm Uganda’s place in the knockout stages.
Jude Ssemugabi had earlier given the hosts a deserved lead in the 31st minute with a swift counterattack finish that sent the fans wild.
But South Africa hit back in the second half as Ramahlwe Mphalele equalised in the 52nd minute, capitalising on poor defending inside the area, and five minutes later, Thabiso Kutumela punished another lapse in Cranes’ defence to make it 2-1, before Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo seemingly buried Uganda’s hopes with a third in the 83rd minute.
But the Cranes refused to surrender when substitute Ivan Ahimbisibwe was brought down in the box, allowing Allan Okello to convert from the spot in the 88th minute.
Deep into added time, another VAR check confirmed a handball by a South Africa defender, handing Uganda another penalty, and this time, skipper Rogers Torach stepped up with nerves of steel to slot home the equaliser and ignite jubilant scenes inside the stadium.
In the other Group C fixture, Algeria were held to a goalless draw by Niger at Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi, a result that confirmed Uganda as group leaders with seven points.
Algeria finished second with six, while South Africa, despite their six-point tally as Algeria, bowed out due to an inferior goal difference. Guinea ended with four points, and Niger two.
The result means Uganda will face one of the Group D runners-up in the quarterfinals, keeping alive their dream run on home soil in CHAN 2024, while Algeria face Group D winners, who will be confirmed after Tuesday’s fixtures.
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