Uganda Cranes revived their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification hopes with a crucial 2-0 victory over Somalia at the Mandela National Stadium on Sunday night.
The hosts got off to a dream start when Allan Okello confidently converted a penalty in the 9th minute after left-back Aziizi Kayondo was brought down inside the box. The early breakthrough settled the nerves and gave Uganda control of the game.
The Cranes continued to press forward, and their efforts paid off again in the 39th minute. Striker Jude Ssemugabi pounced with a well-taken finish to double the lead, ensuring the home side went into halftime with a comfortable 2-0 cushion.
After the restart, Uganda created several opportunities to extend their advantage, but wasteful finishing and resilient defending from Somalia kept the scoreline unchanged. Somalia also had a few half-chances of their own, but they failed to trouble the Ugandan defense or goalkeeper.
At the final whistle, the 2-0 result was enough to lift Uganda back into second place in Group G with 15 points, the same tally as Mozambique, who had earlier defeated Botswana 2-0. The Cranes, however, edged Mozambique into second due to a superior goal difference of +5 compared to Mozambique’s -3.
Group leaders Algeria remain firmly on top with 19 points after being held to a goalless draw by Guinea, who sit fourth on 11 points. Botswana follows with 10 points, while Somalia remains rooted at the bottom with just one point.
With two match days left, Uganda’s qualification bid remains very much alive, though the Cranes will need consistency and sharper finishing to challenge Algeria and fend off Mozambique in the final stretch of the campaign.
