Okello, Ssemugabi on target as Uganda Cranes edge Somalia to keep slim World Cup hopes alive

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Ssemugabi celebrates his goal against Somalia

David GOMBE

2026 FIFA World Cup Match Day 8 Qualifiers (Group G)

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


Uganda Cranes edged Somalia 2-0 in the Group G of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers at the Mandela National Stadium, Namboole, on Monday night.

Allan Okello and forward Jude Ssemugabi were on target for the Cranes as they kept their 2026 FIFA World Cup hopes alive with a second successive victory.

Okello and Mato in celebration

Both Uganda Cranes goals came in the first period of the contest.

Uganda Cranes head coach Paul Joseph Put handed Burton Albion right back Toby Peter Sibbick his home debut

The defender was the only change from the starting eleven that started against Mozambique last Friday replacing Elvis Bwomono.

Okello gave the Cranes the lead from the spot in the fifth minute after Somalia defender Abdulle Abdullani had brought down Abdul Azizi Kayondo in the forbidden area with Ivory Coast Referee awarding a penalty.

Okello sent goalkeeper Mohammud Jama the wrong way for Cranes opener and his third of the current World Cup qualification campaign.

In the 38th minute, Ssemugabi doubled Uganda’s lead when goalkeeper Jama failed to deal with Steven Mukwala’s header.

Ssemugabi celebrates his goal

Mukwala, Ssemugabi and Rogers Mato all had decent opportunities to score more goals for the Cranes who now move to 15 points same as Mozambique in Group G.

Algeria maintains the top spot with 19 points despite a goalless draw with Guinea in Morocco. The Algerian need just one more win in their remaining two games to secure a place in next year’s World Cup in USA, Mexico and Canada.

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