The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
RESULT
FT’ | #WCQ2026 
Angola 
1-2 Cape Verde 
Benin 
0-2 South Africa 
Nigeria 
1-1 Zimbabwe 
Rwanda 
1-1 Lesotho 
Uganda 
1-0 Guinea 
Namboole, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT & FUFA MEDIA | Allan Okello’s first have wonder strike from a free kick was enough to secure hosts Uganda Cranes a crucial win in their FIFA World Cup 2026 qualification Group G return leg encounter against Guinea at Namboole Stadium today.
Uganda started brightly, creating early chances, with Mato coming close in the 16th minute, only to be denied by Guinea’s goalkeeper Sylla. Four minutes later, Mato’s cutback went begging with no one to finish. The Cranes continued pressing, and Muhammad Shaban twice came inches close from an Okello corner and a Kayondo cutback in the 32nd minute.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 34th minute when Okello curled in a brilliant free-kick just outside the box, sending the home fans into wild celebrations. Guinea’s Camara, who fouled Mutyaba leading to the set-piece, was booked.
Head coach Paul Put made four changes to his starting line up from the side that lost 3-1 to Mozambique, bringing in goalkeeper Nafian Alionzi, Ronald Ssekiganda, Travis Mutyaba, and Rogers Mato. With Khalid Aucho and Isima Watenga absent, defender Elio Capradossi wore the captain’s armband.
Both sides were desperate for maximum points to keep their qualification hopes alive following disappointing results in match day five where Uganda fell 3-1 to Mozambique, while Guinea was held to a shocking goalless draw by Somalia. The Cranes jump to nine points, ahead of Guinea who remain on seven points.
The reverse fixture in November 2023 saw Guinea edge Uganda 2-1 in Morocco.
57′
Okello’s wonder strike #CKSports #WeAre26 #WCQ #FIFAWCQ #UGAGUI
— Omutegeke |
(@CliveKyazze) March 25, 2025
Half-Time! Uganda 1-0 Guinea #UGAGUI | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/Wsloq7kafS
— Uganda Cranes (@UgandaCranes) March 25, 2025
In the second half, Uganda made defensive reinforcements, with Timothy Awany replacing Elvis Bwomono at halftime. Calvin Kabuye and Jude Ssemugabi were also introduced as Uganda sought to maintain their lead.
Guinea pushed for an equalizer late on, but Alionzi pulled off a crucial 87th-minute save to deny the visitors. The Cranes’ defence remained resolute, shutting out the Guinean attack and sealing a vital win.
This victory marks Uganda’s third win in the qualifiers and their second at home, moving them to 9 points from 6 games, while Guinea remains on 7 points.
“We deserved to win, we played well from the first minute and had many chances to score more goals in the first half. I am a proud of the team,” said Head coach Paul Put.
“We didn’t perform bad in Mozambique but the situations like the simple goals we conceded and and red card cost us generally we didn’t have a bad game especially when we were reduced to ten men. The boys knew what this match meant and I am happy they put up a fight and got the positive results.”
