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For all the colour, noise, and pride of being joint hosts of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024, East Africa’s journey ended in heartbreak at the quarter-finals stage.

Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania--the three Pamoja hosts--were all knocked out, leaving the region without a single representative in the semi-finals.

In Kampala on Saturday evening, Uganda’s Cranes carried the weight of a nation.

After Kenya had been bundled out by Madagascar in Nairobi and Tanzania beaten by Morocco in Dar es Salaam, the Cranes were the last East African hope.

Mandela National Stadium, freshly refurbished, was packed to the rafters, with over 40,000 fans waving red, black, and yellow flags, drumming, and singing in defiance of the odds.

For an hour, Uganda held firm against defending champions Senegal. The backline of Halid Lwaliwa and Isaac Muleme cut out wave after wave of attacks, while midfielder Moses Waiswa tried to stitch together counter-moves.

The roar was deafening each time Allan Okello picked up the ball near Senegal’s box, and when striker Ivan Ahimbisibwe was introduced after half-time, hope surged.

But in the 62nd minute, the stadium fell silent. A swift Senegalese move down the right saw Libasse Guèye whip in a cross that found Oumar Ba, who calmly slotted past goalkeeper Charles Lukwago. It was a dagger to Ugandan hearts.

The Cranes tried to respond, Okello forcing a diving save from Marc Diouf, but Senegal were composed, efficient, and ruthless in seeing out the 1–0 win.

Senegal coach Souleymane Diallo praised his players: “One of the key factors for performance is the mental aspect. All the players were prepared and focused. Uganda pushed us, but we kept our concentration.”

As the final whistle blew, Ugandan fans were left crestfallen. Some wept openly, others slumped in silence. The last of East Africa’s warriors had fallen.

If Kampala was heartbreak, then Zanzibar delivered drama.

In one of the shocks of the tournament, Sudan sent Algeria packing in a nerve-shredding penalty shootout.

Ninety minutes had ended goalless, and even after extra time neither side could find a breakthrough. When the referee signalled penalties, the Amaan Stadium turned into a cauldron of nerves.

Sudan’s goalkeeper Mohamed Alnoor Saeed became an instant hero, producing two stunning saves to deny Algeria’s takers. When Sudan converted their fourth kick to seal a 4–2 win, the celebrations were delirious.

Players sprinted to the corner flag, fans poured into the aisles, and chants of “Sudan! Sudan!” echoed under the floodlights.

The victory marked Sudan’s third time reaching the CHAN semi-finals, after 2011 and 2018.

For East Africa, the cruel irony was complete. Kenya’s Harambee Stars had been undone in Nairobi by Madagascar, despite passionate crowds at Kasarani.

Tanzania’s Taifa Stars fell short in Dar es Salaam, outclassed by Morocco’s tactical discipline. And now Uganda, the last remaining host, had been broken by Senegal’s efficiency.

Across social media, East Africans expressed their anguish with humour. One fan quipped: “We co-hosted CHAN, we built the stadiums, we filled the stands… but forgot to score enough goals.”

Another added: “The Pamoja countries gave Africa a party, but the guests ate all the cake.”

The exits raise difficult questions. Was it poor preparation? Was the pressure of hosting too heavy? Or is it simply that African football powerhouses--Senegal, Morocco, and Algeria--remain steps ahead?

As it stands, the semi-final line-up looks unforgiving: Senegal face Madagascar, while Sudan await their opponents from the North African side of the draw.

The East African dream is over--at least for now--and the Pamoja nations are left with memories of vibrant crowds, carnival atmospheres, and fleeting hope.

Yet, even in defeat, CHAN 2024 has reminded the continent that East Africa loves its football fiercely.

From Kasarani’s overflowing terraces to Dar es Salaam’s sea of yellow and green, to the drumbeats of Kampala, the hosts proved they can stage a tournament of pride and spectacle.