Algeria Edges Uganda 2-1 in Thrilling World Cup Qualifier
Uganda’s hopes for a victory in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers were dashed as Algeria secured a 2-1 win in a gripping contest at Namboole Stadium. The Ugandan Cranes, buoyed by their recent triumph over Botswana, were eager to maintain their momentum against the formidable Desert Foxes.
The evening began with high spirits among the home fans, but their joy turned to dismay as Algeria staged a dramatic comeback. Uganda’s night had started on a promising note, thanks to an early strike from their young star, Travis Mutyaba. In the 9th minute, Mutyaba capitalized on a defensive error, seizing a loose ball just outside the box and delivering a superb shot into the far post, outmaneuvering Algerian goalkeeper Anthony Manderea.
This early lead electrified the crowd and set a positive tone for the Cranes. Throughout the first half, they continued to press their advantage, with Rogers Mato creating significant opportunities down the left flank. However, key chances by forwards Steven Desse Mukwala and Rogers Kassim Mato went begging, and Uganda entered the halftime break with a slender 1-0 lead.
The match’s complexion changed dramatically in the second half. Algeria equalized just a minute after the restart, with Houssem Aouar finding the net and silencing the raucous home crowd. The decisive moment came in the 58th minute when West Ham United’s Saïd Benrahma completed a swift counter-attack, expertly finishing after Ugandan defender Kenneth Ssemakula lost possession near the Algerian box.
Uganda’s head coach, Put, remained composed in his post-match comments, lauding his players’ efforts despite the defeat. “I am not disappointed about the performance. I congratulated the players for their mentality, but football is very simple. If you create chances and don’t score, it becomes difficult against a high-quality opponent like Algeria, one of Africa’s best teams,” he said.
He also criticized the timing and nature of the goals conceded, emphasizing the importance of learning from the experience. “We gave away two avoidable goals at critical moments. It’s tough, but it’s a learning process. Our squad is very young and needs to grow in maturity. We also need to find players who can make a significant impact,” Put added.
The Belgian tactician underscored his belief that Uganda’s performance deserved more, citing superior statistics and a potential penalty that wasn’t awarded. “When you look at the statistics, the number of attacks we mounted, we did not deserve to lose. We could have earned a penalty if everything was correct. We will review this game with our players. We lost this battle, but the war is still on,” he concluded.
This victory solidifies Algeria’s lead in Group G with nine points, narrowly ahead of Mozambique, who also have nine points but trail on goal difference. Botswana, Guinea, and Uganda each hold six points, with Botswana in third place due to a better goal difference, while Guinea edges out Uganda based on head-to-head results.
Under the current qualification format, the top team from each of the nine groups will automatically secure a spot in the World Cup. Additionally, the four best runners-up will compete in an African playoff, with the winners advancing to the inter-confederation playoffs scheduled for March 2026.