Uganda Cranes beaten 3-1 by Mozambique in 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers

2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers (Group G)
Mozambique 3-1 Uganda

Cairo, (EGY):- Mozambique secured a crucial 3-1 victory over Uganda in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers on Thursday, inflicting a third loss in the campaign in five games for the Cranes.

The match, held in Cairo, saw all four goals scored in the first half, with Mozambique taking full advantage of a red card shown to Uganda’s Denis Omedi.

Mozambique started strong, taking the lead early with a goal from Pepo Santos in the 3rd minute from kickoff, but Uganda quickly responded through Shaban Muhammad, who levelled the score with a precise shot four minutes later.

Pepo restored Mozambique’s lead with a great tap-in after capitalizing from a mistake by Cranes goalkeeper Isma Watenga.

However, the tide turned when Omedi was sent off for a second yellow card, leaving Uganda to play with just ten men, and just before the strike of halftime, the hosts doubled their lead through Stanley Ratifo with all left to play after the restart.

In the second half, Uganda made changes to the starting XI, replacing goalkeeper Watenga with Nafian Alionzi and Rogers Ssekiganda and Steven Mukwala for Elvis Bwomono and Muhammad Shaban, respectively.

The changes, however, couldn’t turn the tide as Mozambique sealed the 3-1 result at full-time.

The win puts Mozambique at the top of Group G with 12 points, while Uganda remains in fifth place with six points, and with little room for error as they prepare to face Guinea at Namboole on Tuesday, March 25, 2025.

Mozambique, on the other hand, will take on Algeria in a key match that could further solidify their place in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.