Uganda 4-0 Mozambique
From the first kick of the game played at Mandela National Stadium Namboole, Uganda lankly attacked, created chance after chance, and four ticked to register the biggest win in their World Cup qualifiers history.
Fans’ favorite Allan Okello opened the score three minutes after the restart with a blockbuster hitting the left top corner.
Jude Ssemugabi set up the goal with a square pass from the mid-right side of the pitch with an attack launched by Elvis Bwomono at right back.
Rogers Mato doubled the lead in the 70th minute with a curl ball into the right top corner after skilling down Mozambique’s defender, receiving the ball from Steven Mukwala.
In the 83rd minute, Mato rebranded his day brighter from a poor start of the night where had multiple poor decisions, but he resulted on Paul Put’s belief in him by making the game 3-0.
At the mark of the 90th minute, Defender Elio Caprodossi sealed the victory finishing in Okello’s curl corner.
The game, which went to half time 0-0 with a lot of the chances misplaced, the Cranes returned stronger, leading 2-0 with the starting lineup before First, substitute Travis Mutyaba replaced Mukwala in the 75th minute.
Mutyaba added stability going forward, taking part in the goal number three build-up, winning the ball back, passing to Ssemugabi, who extended to Okello, who drove into the box and had a blocked shot. Mato picked up the rebound to finish the attack.
Put handed a debut to Uche Mubiru, who replaced Ssemugabi in the double substitution that also had Joseph Mpande returning to the national team after a long time, when he replaced Mato.
With four woodwork hits, 12 shots off target, and four saves, Uganda managed to register its biggest win in the history of World Cup qualifiers.
Following the game, Head Coach Paul put pointed out on self belief as factor behind the result,”the team before was not believing but that character is now in the team, we have man chances we managed to 4-0 at least, my last time in the world cup qualifiers I missed by two minutes and I believe this time I can qualify with Uganda.”
Uganda is now sitting second in the group with 12 points, behind Algeria on 18 points, with three games to go.
Uganda’s chances to reach the 2026 FIFA World Cup are sitting 7th in the runner-up rankings, with only four teams needed to advance to the next qualification stage, just one point adrift of the fourth-best runner-up, Madagascar.
Uganda will return to action on Monday, September 8, against Somalia at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole, targeting a win as they continue pushing for an opportunity at next year’s FIFA World Cup in North America.
