World Cup (Q): Uganda bow out as Amoura double confirms Algeria win

World Cup (Q): Uganda bow out as Amoura double confirms Algeria win

Photo: Algerian Football Federation

World Cup (Q): Uganda bow out as Amoura double confirms Algeria win

Uganda’s chances of qualifying for the regional playoff in 2026 World Cup qualifying from the CAF region ended in heartbreak following their 2-1 defeat at the hands of Algeria in Tizi Ouzou.

The Cranes kicked off the first half in brilliant fashion, taking the lead six minutes into the game through Steven Mukwala. The Ugandan forward was set free by Kenneth Semakula and unleashed a low drive that found the bottom corner of the goal past Algeria debutant goalkeeper Luca Zidane, son of Zinedine.

Les Fennecs tried to get back into the game as they mounted pressure after going down early. Mohamed Amoura and Riyad Mahrez were the two most dangerous players on the field for the hosts. The visitors’ custodian, Jamal Salim, did superbly to keep the score intact during the first half even though Amoura beat him on the stroke of halftime, only to be denied by the post.

The second half saw the home side dominate, but scoring chances were limited. Amoura continued to cause havoc for the Ugandan defense. The visitors opted to defend and it cost them in the end.

 Amoura converted a spot-kick nine minutes before time after Ramy Bensebaini was fouled. Algeria completed the comeback with another penalty from Amoura in stoppage time after Amine Gouiri and Salim collided inside the box, with both players leaving the field injured.

Elsewhere in Group G, Mozambique pipped Somalia 1-0 courtesy of a goal from Geny Catamo. Guinea and Botswana played out a 2-2 draw in the other fixture. Algeria ended the campaign with 25 points, while Uganda and Mozambique sit second and third with 18 points each. Amoura scored ten goals in the qualifiers to finish as the top scorer.

2026 World Cup Qualifying: Final Group G Table

  1. Algeria- 25 points
  2. Uganda- 18 points
  3. Mozambique- 18 points
  4. Guinea- 15 points
  5. Botswana- 10 points
  6. Somalia- 1 point

Table of group runners-up (Top 4 advance to playoff)

  1. Gabon- 16 points (1 match in hand)
  2. Cameroon- 15 points (GD: +9)
  3. Nigeria- 15 points (GD: +7)
  4. Burkina Faso- 15 points (GD: +6)
  5. Niger- 15 points (GD: +1) [eliminated]
  6. DR Congo- 13 points (GD: +4) [1 match in hand]
  7. Madagascar- 12 points (eliminated)
  8. Uganda- 12 points (eliminated)
  9. Namibia- 9 points (eliminated)

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