What we learnt from Uganda Cranes’ wins over Mozambique and Somalia

Uganda Cranes beat Mozambique and Somalia in the September international window to keep faint hopes of reaching the 2026 World Cup.

Currently in second place in group G, Uganda must win all their remaining fixtures and hope Algeria falters in their away clash with Somalia on match round nine.

Here are the talking points from the two matches and what we learnt

World cup dream remains alive though out of hand

Despite the two victories, Uganda’s qualification chances remain slim and out of hands.

For now, 4 points behind Algeria, Uganda must beat Botswana and the Desert Foxes away which appears a tall order.

In the race for the best four ranked second placed teams that will play in the play off for a spot in the intercontinental tournament early next year, Uganda is now ranked 7^th with Gabon, Madagascar, DR Congo and Burkina Faso occupying the top four slots at the moment.

Obita – Capradossi centre back partnership

Long since Ibrahim Sekgya – Timothy Batabaire had Uganda Cranes played with a partnership that awed Ugandans in the stands and those watching on television across the world.

However, the Obita – Capradossi pairing at the heart of defence for the two matches made Ugandans to dream.

Both comfortable on the ball, they helped the team play and build from the back but when it needed physicality, Obita offered exactly that to the delight of Ugandans.

They will face huge tests next month away to Botswana and Algeria but for now, they look the best bet to start as centre backs come Afcon 2025.

Onyango presence more valuable beyond goalposts 

After over five years in retirement, Denis Onyango sent shockwaves in the fraternity by returning to the team.

Although he sat on the bench for both matches, Onyango’s presence and aura were more valuable to the team’s performance backing Jamal Salim who also returned to goal after over two years absentia.

Paul Put admitted that the former African Player of the year – based in Africa provides more than keeping goal and his presence meant a lot to the lads.

Put has less trust in local based players

Paul Put has consistently disregarded the local based players and after not taking up the head coach role for the CHAN team, the Belgian showed his lack of trust in them by not giving many, chance in the world cup qualifiers.

Despite summoning 11, only two started both matches and in total, just three; Allan Okello, Jude Ssemugabi and Reagan Mpande were fielded over the 180 minutes of Mozambique and Somalia.

Uganda’s best performer in the CHAN Joel Sserunjogi wasn’t even part of the two match day squads just like Hilary Mukundane.  

Right back position still up for grabs

Elvis Bwomono and Tobby Sibbick played at right back against Mozambique and Somalia respectively with Gavin Kizito unused while Kenneth Ssemakula played in midfield.

Since discarding Nicholas Wadada, the right back position hasn’t had a permanent starter in the XI and from the two fixtures, it is still up grabs.

Sibbick, a centre back impressed more than Bwomono although the two opponents provided different competition.

Like the centre back pairing, Sibbick’s bigger tests will come next month in Gaborone and Algiers.

Ikpeazu Mubiru and Joseph Mpande need to impress Put more

Both were late substitutes in the win over the Mambas while Ikpeazu was unused in the game against Somalia.

With their experience and size, both expected to get more minutes after finally getting on the squad but they must have surely not impressed Put and his technical staff.

With few club matches between now and the next international break, they must impress the Belgian otherwise, I will be shocked to see them summoned in October after they were literally unused.