KAMPALA, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- Uganda has secured a place in the quarterfinals of the CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) after a thrilling 3-3 draw with South Africa in Group C on Monday night in Kampala.
The Cranes, cheered on by a passionate home crowd, fought back from 3-1 down to earn one point and lead Group C with seven points, following Algeria's goalless draw with Niger in the other fixture of the group.
Jude Ssemugabi slotted home to help Uganda break the deadlock in the 31st minute. South Africa pushed for an equalizer but the Ugandan defense held firm until after the break.
In the 52nd minute, Ramahlwe Mpahlele leveled the score after Ugandan goalkeeper Joel Mutakubwa's save fell back into play, and the goal was confirmed after a VAR review.
South Africa grew in confidence and Thabiso Kutumela made it 2-1 six minutes later. The visitor continued to press, and Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo added a third with a composed chip following a goalkeeping error.
But Uganda refused to give up. With two minutes left on the clock, Allan Okello converted a penalty after Kegan Johannes' foul in the box. In the sixth minute of added time, Rogers Torach kept his nerve to bury a second penalty after a handball, sealing the dramatic 3-3 draw.
The result capped an impressive group stage campaign for Uganda, who had lost 3-0 to Algeria, bounced back with a 3-0 win over Guinea, and defeated Niger 2-0 before holding South Africa.
This marks the first time that Uganda has advanced to the knockout stage in seven CHAN appearances.
Other teams already through to the quarterfinals include Tanzania, Kenya, Madagascar, Morocco and Algeria. ■
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