The Uganda Cranes achieved a crucial victory over Botswana, solidifying their aspirations to reach the playoffs for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. The decisive moment of the match came from Jude Ssemugabi, who scored the only goal in the second half during a tightly contested game held at the Francistown Stadium.
With Algeria’s commanding 3-0 victory over Somalia, the Desert Foxes have secured the direct qualification spot in Group G, amassing 22 points with one match remaining in the qualifying campaign. This development leaves Uganda fighting for a playoff berth, as only the top four second-placed teams across the nine groups will advance to the next stage.
The match was also significant for the return of goalkeeper Denis Onyango, who came out of retirement to represent the national team. This marked his first appearance since March 29, 2021, when he played against Malawi. Coach Paul Put made only one alteration to the lineup that faced Somalia in the previous match, indicating his confidence in the team’s structure.
From the outset, Uganda demonstrated their technical superiority, dominating possession and controlling the pace of the game. However, despite their efforts, clear-cut scoring opportunities were scarce. The best chance of the first half fell to Rogers Mato, who skillfully cut inside the defense and unleashed a powerful shot from outside the box, only to be thwarted by a well-positioned Botswana goalkeeper.
Ssemugabi finally broke the deadlock nine minutes into the second half, showing excellent timing and aerial ability as he rose to head home a pinpoint corner kick delivered by Allan Okello. This crucial goal not only lifted the team’s morale but also marked Ssemugabi as a key player in Uganda’s quest for World Cup qualification.
With this victory, Uganda now sits at 18 points, maintaining their position in second place in Group G. The Cranes currently rank fifth among the second-placed teams across all groups, intensifying their pursuit of a playoff spot as the qualifiers progress. This triumph reflects the team’s resilience and determination to compete on the world stage.
