World Cup Qualifiers: Uganda Cranes Coach Paul Put Issues Caution Despite Back-to-Back Victories

Uganda Cranes head coach Paul Put has urged his side to remain focused despite their 2-0 victory against Somalia in a Group G match of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers on Monday.

First-half goals from Allan Okello and Jude Ssemugabi secured maximum points for Uganda at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Namboole.

"The players have continued to work hard, and I am very happy that they scored two goals and defended well," Paul Put said as per CECAFA.

"We have two more group games in October, and we must remain focused."

The recent victories have significantly boosted Uganda's chances of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Algeria currently leads Group G with 19 points after a goalless draw with Guinea.

Uganda and Mozambique are tied for second place with 15 points each, followed by Guinea with 11 points. Botswana and Somalia occupy the fifth and sixth positions, respectively.

Uganda's path to qualification will be decided in October with two crucial away matches against Botswana and Algeria. These games will determine if they secure a direct spot or a place in the inter-confederation play-offs.

Nine teams from Africa will qualify directly for the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with one additional team competing in the play-offs.

Meanwhile, several teams from the CECAFA region, including Tanzania, Sudan, and Rwanda, recorded vital wins in the latest round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

On top of their victory over Somalia, the Uganda Cranes had earlier turned on the style, cruising to a 4-0 victory over Mozambique in a FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier played on Friday night.

After a goalless first half, Allan Okello broke the deadlock in the 47th minute with a thunderous strike from outside the box that left goalkeeper Ivane Carminio Francisco helpless.

Mozambique almost responded through Geny Catamo, whose long-range effort sailed just wide in the 52nd minute, but Uganda continued to press.

Rogers Mato then doubled the lead in the 70th minute after linking up with Steven Mukwala, beating a defender, and calmly slotting past the goalkeeper.

Mato struck again in the 84th minute with a superb half-volley to make it 3-0, before defender Elio Capradossi sealed the rout at the death. The emphatic win served as sweet revenge for Uganda, which had fallen 3-1 to Mozambique in March in Cairo.

The result lifted Uganda to second place in Group G with 12 points, behind leaders Algeria, who eased past Botswana to move to 18 points. In another Group G match played in Kampala, Guinea defeated Somalia 3-0.

Elsewhere, Tanzania battled to a late 1-1 draw away to Congo Brazzaville in Group E, with Selemani Mwalimu’s 84th-minute equaliser cancelling out Decham Moussavou’s opener.

It was a tough night for other CECAFA sides. Kenya slumped to a 3-1 home defeat against The Gambia in Group F, South Sudan were thrashed 4-1 by DR Congo in Juba, while Djibouti, reduced to 10 men after Yabe Siad Isman’s red card, suffered a heavy 6-0 loss to Burkina Faso in Group A.

Meanwhile, Senegal beat Sudan 2-0, Ivory Coast edged Burundi 1-0, and Egypt defeated Ethiopia 2-0 in other qualifying fixtures.