Namboole, Kampala: Allan Okello and Jude Ssemugabi were on target on Monday evening as Uganda Cranes defeated Somalia 2-0 at the Mandela National Stadium, Namboole, to keep alive their hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Okello opened the scoring from the spot in the 6th minute after Aziz Kayondo was brought down inside the box, leaving Ivorian referee Ibrahim Traore Kalilou with no choice but to point to the spot. The in-form midfielder confidently slotted home to give the Cranes an early lead.
The hosts continued to press with a flurry of wasteful chances, but would double their advantage in the 39th minute when striker Jude Ssemugabi pounced inside the area to slot past Somalia’s goalkeeper, Mohammud Jama, sealing the eventual victory before halftime.
Despite creating several chances in the second half, the Cranes failed to add to their tally but comfortably held on for all three points in front of a lively home crowd at Namboole.
The victory, which comes at the back of a 4-0 thumping of Mozambique last week at the same home turf, lifts Uganda to 15 points in Group G, four behind leaders Algeria, who were held to a goalless draw by Guinea. Mozambique earlier boosted their campaign with a 2-0 win over Botswana to also tie with the Cranes at 15 points.
Group G Standings (after Matchday 8)
- Algeria – 8 matches, 19 points
- Uganda – 8 matches, 15 points
- Mozambique – 8 matches, 15 points
- Guinea – 8 matches, 11 points
- Botswana – 8 matches, 9 points
- Somalia – 8 matches, 1 point
The Cranes will, in the next fixture, face Botswana away in Gaborone on 6th October before traveling to Algiers a week later for a potential group decider, while Algeria, favourites to qualify as Group G winners, meet Somalia in Mogadishu on the same date before hosting Uganda.
The Qualification Mathematics
For Uganda to keep their World Cup dream alive, nothing short of maximum points will suffice. Victories in both Gaborone and Algiers would lift the Cranes to 21 points, leaving them in contention for top spot if Algeria slip against Somalia.
While a win against Botswana followed by a draw in Algiers would take Uganda to 19 points, but that would almost certainly confine them to second place and a playoff route, especially if Algeria collect maximum points.
Any slip-up, whether against Botswana or Algeria, would effectively end Uganda’s hopes of automatic qualification, reducing their target to simply fighting off Mozambique for the playoff slot. In essence, Uganda’s fate rests on back-to-back wins, with the Algeria clash looming as the decisive showdown.
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