By Musa Kikuuno, Busoga Times
The Uganda Cranes are still in the hunt for a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a crucial 1-0 win over Guinea in their latest Group G qualifier at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole on Tuesday night.
Allan Okello was the star of the show, scoring the only goal of the match in the 36th minute with a stunning free-kick that sailed past Guinea’s goalkeeper, Soumaila Sylla. The Cranes dominated possession throughout the game and created several scoring opportunities, but clinical finishing was a challenge for forward Shaban Muhammed, who missed a number of chances that could have sealed a more comfortable victory.
Despite the missed opportunities, the victory places Uganda in a promising position in the group. With 9 points, the Cranes are tied with Botswana, who also have 9 points, but Uganda has a goal difference of just 2 less. The group’s leader, Algeria, remains firmly in control with 15 points, while Mozambique sits in second place with 12 points. Guinea is in fifth place with 7 points, and Somalia, yet to win a match, is at the bottom of the table with just 1 point.
Looking ahead, Uganda still has a chance to secure qualification, and with four more games remaining, their hopes remain high. The top team in the group will qualify directly for the World Cup, while the second-place finisher has a shot at reaching the next round. The best four second-placed teams from all groups will compete for a chance to claim an intercontinental playoff spot and keep their World Cup dreams alive.
For the Cranes, their next fixtures are pivotal. Uganda will play Mozambique and Somalia in September 2025, both games to be held at Mandela National Stadium in Kampala. These two home matches provide a golden opportunity for the Cranes to collect six points and reach a total of 15 points, which would give them a strong chance of progressing.
In October 2025, Uganda will travel away to face Botswana, followed by an away trip to Algeria. While these are challenging fixtures, Uganda can still hope to collect points from these encounters, with the possibility of securing at least five points from these two away games.
In my opinion, “Uganda has already bagged 9 points, and if we win both of our home games, we’ll have 15 points, which will put us in a solid position for qualification but It’s important to remember that all teams in the group still have a maximum of 12 points left to play for, so there’s everything to play for, and Uganda has a strong chance if they continue to improve their performances.”
So far, the Cranes have won three and lost three of their six matches, with no draws. Their consistency at home and potential to perform well away means the dream of qualification is still alive, and fans across the nation will be hoping to see their team make history and secure a place in the 2026 World Cup.
As the qualifiers enter their final stages, the Uganda Cranes must continue their strong push and make every game count. Fans can look forward to an exciting final stretch of games, and for now, there is still hope, as the Cranes continue their journey to the World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
The road to qualification is tough, but with determination, teamwork, and support from the nation, the Uganda Cranes can still make their mark on the world’s biggest football stage.
