Three points a must for Uganda against Somalia

Uganda head coach Paul Put wants another strong performance against Somalia at the Mandela National Stadium on Monday, 8 September to boost their chances of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.

Kick-off is at 6pm CAT (SA, GMT+2)

CURRENT FORM: 

The Cranes needed a result against Mozambique on 5 September to stay in contention in Group G after losing to them (3-1) in the reverse fixture on March 20.

Put's side delivered as they bossed proceedings in Kampala to run out convincing 4-0 victors which took them above the Mambas on goal difference in second place.

With Algeria six points clear in top spot, the battle is very much on to see who will finish as runners-up in the group and any of Uganda, Mozambique, Guinea or Botswana could still qualify for the playoffs.

The four teams are separated by just three points, while the Ocean Stars have already been eliminated after drawing one and losing six of their opening seven matches.

Yusuf Ali Nur's side picked up their solitary point in a 0-0 draw with the National Elephants on 21 March and haven't scored in the last three games after suffering back-to-back defeats against the Zebras (2-0) and Guinea (3-0) most recently.

Rogers Mato's fourth-minute goal was all that separated the two teams on matchday 2 in Berkane as the Cranes emerged narrow 1-0 victors.

WHAT WAS SAID:

Uganda head coach Paul Put

"If I show you the statistics from today's game, you would be surprised. The performance even betters some of the teams in Europe in terms of the level of energies generated, the ball distribution and chances created.

"I agree it is one of the best performance the team has had and I am proud of the players. I want to thank the players because we wanted to start on a strong note and we exactly did that.

"The chances were created and when the goals started coming, we grew in confidence and eventually managed to get a result."

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Uganda - Rogers Mato is the Cranes' leading scorer in qualifying with three goals and is one of six players to have found the back of the net in their seven games. The striker bagged a brace against Mozambique last time out and will fancy his chances of getting on the scoresheet once more for the visit of Somalia, who have already shipped 14 goals.

Somalia - Abdirahman Mohamud Jama will be under pressure as the last line of defence for the Ocean Stars. The 24-year-old goalkeeper only made his debut against the Mambas on 7 June 2024 and has started every qualifier since then, keeping his first clean sheet in the goalless stalemate with Guinea.

HEAD-TO-HEAD: (Last Five Matches)

Matches - 5

Uganda wins - 5

Somalia wins - 0

Draws - 0