Kampala, (UG):- The Mandela National Stadium aka Nambole was Monday filled to capacity with over 40,000 spectators in the stands as Uganda Cranes stumbled against Group G favourites Algeria in Matchday four of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers.
The Cranes took a deserved lead inside 9 minutes through Travis Mutyaba and preserved the lead into the break but the story changed in the second half as the visitors turned it around to win the fixture 1-2 at the final whistle.
Mutyaba who plies his trade with Egyptian side Zamalek SC struck past goalkeeper Anthony Manderea for the opener with a beautiful low drive through a forest of legs.
The second half turned against the hosts with the Desert Foxes completely dominating.
Aouar Houssem beat Isima Watenga from an acute angle two minutes as the second half resumed to level the matters.
The AS Roma midfielder capitalized on sloppy defending from the Ugandan backline to finish inside the goal area.
The North Africans remained dominant and got their second goal after another quick counter-attack via Said Moamed Benrahma who features for French side Olympic Lyon on loan from West Ham United.
Replacements in Muhammad Shaban Jagason, Denis Omedi, Ibrahim Kasule and Timothy Denis Awany could change little as time clicked away but Algeria held onto the lead to win 2-1, their third victory of the campaign to attain 9 points.
Uganda remains second in Group G with six points and a goal difference of one.
Uganda Cranes Starting XI: Bin Abdul Rashid Watenga (G.K, Captain), Kenneth Semakula, Isaac Muleme, Halidi Lwaliwa, Elio Capradossi, Bobosi Byaruhanga, Ronald Ssekiganda, Aziz Fahad Bayo, Rogers Kassim Mato, Travis Mutyaba, Steven Desse Mukwala
Subs: Nafian Alionzi Legason (G.K), Chrispas Kusiima (G.K), Denis Omedi, Ibrahim Kasule, Muhammad Shaban Jagason, Nicholas Mwere, Ronald Otti, Joel Sserunjogi, Timothy Dennis Awany, Umar Lutalo, Aziz Kayondo, Allan Okello, Patrick Jonah Kakande
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