In a tense match at Namboole Stadium, the Uganda Cranes faced disappointment with a 2-1 loss against Algeria in their Group G World Cup qualifiers.
Uganda kicked off with energy, and Travis Mutyaba’s fantastic goal in the 10th minute thrilled the crowd. His powerful shot caught Algerian goalkeeper Anthony Manderea off guard, sending the stadium into wild excitement.
However, the game took a turn in the second half. Algeria’s Houssem Aouar quickly equalized just a minute after halftime, taking advantage of a defensive mistake by the Cranes. The Ugandan defense couldn’t clear the danger, allowing Aouar to level the score.
Algeria secured their win with a goal from Said Benrahma, profiting from errors made by Paul Put’s team. A loss of possession by Kenneth Ssemakula led to a rapid counter-attack. Then, Halid Lwaliwa slipped while trying to defend, leaving Benrahma with an easy opportunity to score.
This defeat marks Uganda’s second loss in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, following an earlier defeat against Guinea. Despite previous victories against Somalia and Botswana, the Cranes now sit at six points, with their last win also taking place at Namboole Stadium.
For Algeria, this victory is a significant comeback after their previous defeat at home against Guinea. It bolsters their campaign for World Cup qualification and takes them to nine points.
