Crane star celebrate goal
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I The Uganda Cranes edged past Somalia 2–0 at the Mandela National Stadium in Namboole in Monday evening, taking a valuable step toward qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Two first-half goals secured the win as Allan Okello coolly converted a penalty in the 5th minute, placing the ball to the left of the goalkeeper. Jude Ssemugabi added the second in minute 38 tapping in after a saved header from Steven Desse Mukwala.
Despite dominating possession and play, Uganda’s finishing could have brought a more emphatic scoreline. Still, the 2–0 victory keeps the momentum alive for the Cranes as the group stage races toward its climax.
Under the CAF qualification system for World Cup 2026, Africa has nine direct qualification spots. Each of the nine groups features six teams, playing home-and-away round-robin matches. The group winners qualify directly, while the four best runners-up will compete in a CAF playoff for a chance at the inter-confederation playoffs.
Uganda competes in Group G, alongside Algeria, Guinea, Mozambique, Botswana, and Somalia. The group winner will earn direct qualification—runner-up status could still offer hope through the playoff route.
Following Uganda’s win, they now sit on 15 points, level with Mozambique, who also secured a victory earlier in the day. Meanwhile, Algeria continues to control their position with 19 points, extending their lead at the top.
With only three matches remaining—away fixtures against Botswana and Algeria, plus one more at home—every point is now critically important for Uganda.
Matchdays Nine and Ten will take place between October 6 to 14, 2025, and will be decisive in determining which team clinches direct qualification
* If Uganda finishes second, they must be among the top four runners-up to advance to the CAF playoff. Winning that would lead to the inter-confederation playoffs, with a final shot at reaching the World Cup.
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