Uganda Cranes edge Somalia to secure back-to-back home win | 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers

2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers (Group G)

• Uganda Cranes 2-0 Somalia
• Guinea 0-0 Algeria
• Mozambique 2-0 Botswana

Uganda Cranes smiled past fellow CECAFA zone member Somalia 2-0 during Group G of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers at the Mandela National Stadium, Namboole on Monday night.

Two first half goals from talisman Allan Okello (penalty) and forward Jude Ssemugabi earned the wasteful home side yet another victory in the on-going campaign for the 2026 FIFA World Cup road map in Canada, Mexico and United States of America (USA).

Despite a total dominance of the game with good possessive play, the scoreline will never tell the full story.

A brave start witnessed Uganda Cranes take the lead when Okello struck home the opener, a well executed penalty as early as the fifth minute.

The penalty was awarded by Cote d’Ivoire referee Ibrahim Traore Kalilou after defender Abdulle Abdullani felled down the roving left back Abdul Azizi Kayondo in the forbidden area.

Okello confidently held the ball and placed it to the left of goalkeeper Mohammud Jama who wrongly dived the opposite way for the opener.

At this stage, Cranes seemed to be a team on a mission much to the deafening wild cheers from the stands.

Ssemugabi tapped home the second in the 38th minute when goalkeeper Jama spilled the ball in his path after a powerful header from Steven Desse Mukwala off Kayondo’s inviting ball from the left.

It would have easily been a cricket-like score but suspect finishing from Mukwala and Ssemugabi denied more goals.

There are plenty of lessons to reflect home about coming to the final bend of the campaign.

A home debut Burton Albion right back Toby Peter Sibbick, the continued dream central defensive partnership of Elio Capradossi and John Jordan Obita as well as Okello’s continued positive display are positives.

Uganda now has 15 points, same as Mozambique who beat Botswana in Maputo earlier in the day.

Algeria who were held by Guinea to a goal-less draw in Morocco maintain their summit spot with 19 points.