Cranes soar over Ocean Stars

Uganda made it three wins on the trot in Group G of 2026 World Cup qualifying after they beat Somalia 2-0 at the Mandela National Stadium on Monday, September 8.

First-half goals from Allan Okello and Jude Ssemugabi handed Paul Put's side three precious points which took them above Mozambique on goal difference in second place, with both teams tied on 15 points.

The Cranes had won their last two matches against Guinea (1-0) and Mozambique (4-0) to keep their qualification hopes alive, while Somalia were already out of the picture after picking up just one point from their opening seven fixtures.

MD6: 🇺🇬 1-0 🇬🇳
MD7: 🇺🇬 4-0 🇲🇿
MD8: 🇺🇬 2-0 🇸🇴

Uganda's recent form in African #WCQ has been nothing short of fantastic. 👏 pic.twitter.com/gNFotwrjyS

— CAF_Online (@CAF_Online) September 8, 2025

Uganda got off to a dream start when they were awarded a penalty in the opening stages and Okello made no mistake from 12 yards out to put them ahead on six minutes.

The hosts went on to enjoy the lion's share of the possession in the first half and they created the majority of the chances, although the Ocean Stars did manage one shot on target which was saved by Salim Magoola.

However, they conceded a second goal six minutes before halftime as Ssemugabi got his name on the scoresheet to register his first goal in qualifying.

Matchday 8 of the Africa #WCQ is here ✅

Here's the line-up of matches you can watch on SuperSport today.

📺 Coverage starts at 15:00 (CAT)#SSFootball | #WCQ pic.twitter.com/0RfYVM8cQe

— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) September 8, 2025

Uganda were happy with their two-goal cushion in the second half and allowed the visitors more time on the ball, while still creating the better chances.

Abdirahman Jama was called into action twice, while Somalia barely threatened at all, getting off two shots neither of which troubled Magoola.

In the end, the Cranes secured a comfortable victory to boost their chances of reaching the playoffs with two matches left to play.

Uganda (2) 2 (Okello 6' PEN, Ssemugabi 39')

Somalia 0

Uganda: S. Magoola, K. Aucho, E. Capradossi, A. Kayondo, R. Mato (J. Mpande 89'), S. Mukwala (D. Omedi 70'), J. Obita, A. Okello (R. Mpande 89'), K. Semakula, T. Sibbick, J. Ssemugabi.

Somalia: A. Jama, A. Abdi (A. Hussein 54'), M. Ali, H. Bwana (A. Ahmed-Nur 77'), Y. Farah, B. Habib, C. Maxamed, A. Musse (H. Farxaan 56'), F. Othman (M. Cali 86'), Y. Saad (M. Suleiman 55'), A. Sharif.