Aucho Confident but Cautious as Uganda Host Somalia

Uganda Cranes captain Khalid Aucho has warned that their World Cup Qualifier against Somalia may not be as straightforward despite their recent fine form.

The Cranes take on Somalia on Monday at Namboole in Group G, looking to build on Friday’s emphatic victory over Mozambique.

Speaking on Sunday, Aucho stressed that the team is in good condition but urged fans to turn up in even larger numbers than they did in the last match.

“We recovered well and everyone is in good condition, and we are ready for the game. So we call upon fans to come in big numbers better than the Mozambique game,” Aucho said.

Somalia sit bottom of the group and are already out of the running for World Cup qualification, but Aucho was quick to highlight the unpredictable nature of regional derbies.

“This is an East African affair, it’s a Derby. You never know what comes around when two teams from the same region meet. Everyone wants to win,” he added.

“Like coach Paul Put has said, in Africa there is no big or small team. The good thing is that we are at home and all we want is three points.”

Uganda currently sit second in Group G with 12 points, six adrift of leaders Algeria, with three games left to play.

The group winner will qualify automatically for the World Cup, while the second-placed team could earn a route to the inter-confederation play-offs through the second round.