• Uganda 1-0 Guinea
Uganda Cranes needed a decent Allan Okello free kick to oust visitors Guinea 1-0 in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying duel played under the floodlights of Mandela National Stadium in Namboole on Tuesday.
The Vipers Sports Club playmaker sent a ferocious shot from outside the box following a foul on Travis Mutyaba in the 36th minute.
Head coach Paul Put made four changes to the starting lineup that lost 3-1 to Mozambique last week, with Nafian Alionzi starting in goal ahead of Isima Watenga.
Midfielder Ronald Ssekiganda, Travis Mutyaba, and winger Rogers Mato were also drafted into the team for injured captain Khalid Aucho and Jude Ssemugabi, while Italian-based defender Elio Capradossi wore the captain’s armband.
Mato nearly broke the deadlock past 16 minutes, but goalkeeper Sylla pulled off a fine save. Four minutes later, Mato’s cutback flashed across the goal mouth with no one to tap it in. Muhammad Shaban also came close twice, first from an Okello corner and later from a Kayondo cutback in the 32nd minute.
The breakthrough finally came two minutes after the hour mark when Camara fouled Mutyaba just outside the box. Allan Okello stepped up and curled a brilliant free kick that was too heavy for the fingertips of goalie Sylla, sending the home crowd into rapturous celebrations.
Uganda made defensive reinforcements after the break, with Timothy Awany replacing Elvis Bwomono at halftime. Later, Calvin Kabuye (Shaban Muhammad) and Jude Ssemugabi (Mato Rogere) were introduced to maintain the Cranes’ defensive solidity.
Guinea pushed for an equalizer late on, but debutant custodian Alionzi stood firm, making a crucial save in the 87th minute to deny the visitors. The Cranes’ backline held strong, ensuring Uganda moves to 9 points in the 3rd place of group G.
This victory, Uganda’s third in the qualifiers and second at home, brings the team three points below table leaders Algeria and Mozambique, who are tied on 12 points each.
Guinea remains on 7 points in the 4th position, while Botswana (6 points) and Somalia (1 point) occupy the last two slots.
Uganda Cranes XI
Nafian Alionzi (GK), Elvis Bwomono, Aziz Kayondo, Bevis Mugabi, Elio Capradosssi ©, Ronald Ssekiganda, Kenneth Ssemakula, Qllan Okello, Travis Mutyaba, Mato Rogers Khassim, Shaban Muhammad.
