Namboole, Uganda: Uganda Cranes roared back into contention for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers with a dominant 4-0 victory over Mozambique at a fan-filled Mandela National Stadium, Namboole, on Friday evening.
Vipers SC forward Allan Okello opened the scoring in the 48th minute with a thunderous strike from outside the box, setting the tone for a second-half blitz that was filled with a flurry of goals.
Rogers Mato, who plays for Macedonian First Football League club Vardar, then stole the show with a brace in the 70th and 84th minutes, his first a curling finish before calmly slotting home his second after a fine chest control inside the six-yard box.
The icing on the cake came at the death when defender Elio Capradossi scored his first Uganda goal in the 90th minute, sealing a heavy defeat for the Mambas who appeared rusty and had little threat against Salim Jamal in Cranes goals on the evening.
The Cranes had wasted several chances in a cagey first half, with the Southern Africa side standing firm to frustrate Paul Put’s men. But the restart brought a shift in tempo, and the Cranes never looked back once Okello broke the deadlock to avenge their 3-1 loss in Maputo during the reverse fixture in March this year.
With the emphatic win, Uganda now leapfrogs Mozambique into second place in Group G, both with 12 points, behind leaders Algeria.
Group G Standings after Matchday 7
- Algeria – 18 points
- Uganda – 12 points
- Mozambique – 12 points
- Guinea – 10 points
- Botswana – 9 points
- Somalia – 1 point
The Cranes will return to action on Monday against Somalia at the same venue, eager to consolidate their qualification push.
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