It was a disappointment for over 40,000 spectators inside Mandela National Stadium – Namboole as Uganda Cranes squandered a 1-0 halftime lead to fall 2-1 to the Algeria Desert Foxes. This was one of the games on match day four of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in Group G. In a game of completely two different halves, Travis Mutyaba lit up the home fans with a perfectly drilled strike in the tenth minute.
The Zamalek Sports Club forward struck past goalkeeper Anthony Manderea for the opener with a beautiful low drive through a forest of legs. The second half turned against the hosts with the Desert Foxes completely dominating. Aouar Houssem Eddine Chaabane beat Isima Watenga from an acute angle two minutes as the second half resumed to level matters.
The AS Roma midfielder capitalized on sloppy defending from the Ugandan backline to finish inside the goal area. The North Africans remained dominant and got their second goal after another quick counter-attack via Said Mohamed Benrahma who features for French side Olympic Lyon on loan from West Ham United. Uganda Cranes had a dominant first and created numerous goal-scoring chances.
Forwards Steven Desse Mukwala and Rogers Kassim Mato were denied on different occasions in what seemed to be clear opportunities. Amoura came close for Algeria at the apex of the first half, but his shot kissed the lower post before getting back to goalkeeper Isima Bin Abdul Rashid Watenga. Upon restart of play in the second half, Algeria commen.
