Uganda Cranes will be seeking to keep their 2026 World Cup dreams alive when they host Mozambique on Friday under the lights of Mandela National Stadium in Namboole.
The Cranes are currently fourth in Group G with nine points having managed three wins and lost as many.
Uganda will be boosted by the return of former captain Denis Onyango from a four year retirement while Salim Jamal Magoola returns to the Cranes fold for the first time since 2023.
Salim Jamal to battle with Onyango for a starting slot
English based forward Ikpeazu Mubiru is also part of the squad this time.
Uganda Cranes head coach Paul Joseph Put revealed his charges want revenge over Mozambique to stay in contention for a slot in next year’s World Cup.
“We know what has to be done. We must take revenge on Mozambique, and if we want to stay in the race, we know exactly what to do.” Paul Put
Captain Khalid Aucho asserts that the World Cup dream is still on
The dream is still on,” Aucho told the press. “For us, the target is winning our remaining matches and see what happens.” Said Aucho
Previous Meeting
Uganda Cranes suffered a 3-1 defeat to Mozambique during their previous Group G meeting at the Cairo International Stadium in March this year.
Pedro Santos grabbed a brace and Stanley Ratifo scored the other goal for Mozambique while Muhammad Shaban found a consolation for Uganda.
In the same match, Denis Omedi was sent off in the first period.
Current Group Standings
Group G
Algeria – 18
Mozambique – 12
Botswana – 9
Uganda – 9
Guinea – 7
Somalia – 1
Mozambique is currently in second place with 12 points and seven points behind Algeria’s Desert Foxes who humbled Botswana 3-1 on Thursday.
Victory will see them complete a double over the Cranes and put them within touching distance of an automatic qualification slot.
The winners of each group will qualify directly to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and the four best group runners-up will advance to a play-off to determine which team will advance to the inter-confederation play-offs.
Uganda Cranes Probable LineUp
Denis Onyango(GK), Elvis Bwomono, Aziz Kayondo, Rogers Torach, Elio Capradossi, Joel Sserunjogi, Khalid Aucho, Travis Mutyaba, Denis Omedi, Rogers Mato, Joseph Mpande