TotalEnergies AFCON Qualifiers 2023
Group F
Matchday 5
Uganda 1-2 Algeria
Uganda Cranes have it all to do on the final day of the 2023 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers after suffering a 2-1 defeat to Algeria on Sunday.
Mohamed Amoura scored a brace for Algeria while second half substitute Fahad Bayo got Uganda’s consolation.
The result leaves the Cranes, who started with four Uganda Premier League (UPL) players in Kenneth Ssemakula, Gift Fred, Rogers Mato and Milton Karisa, in third place on four points.
Algeria maintained their perfection, moving to 15 points while Tanzania, who also beat bottom side Niger, 1-0, went to seven points in second place. Niger have two points.
This means that Uganda must beat Niger by at least three unanswered goals in the final group game in September and hope Tanzania lose to Algeria to stand a chance of qualifying.
Uganda Cranes had their moments in both halves but it is the Algerians that put up a more polished performance.
The Desert Foxes went ahead with three minutes to the break, Amoura tapping home from close range goalkeeper Jamal’s spilled the ball from an initial effort.
Cranes coach Micho Sredojevic made changes at the start of the half time, introducing Bayo and Richard Basangwa for Bobosi Byaruhanga and Milton Karisa respectively.
Isma Mugulusi and Travis Mutyaba, too, later came on for Faruku Miya and Emmanuel Okwi respectively.
But it was the visitors, who had since introduced superstar Riyad Mahrez, who doubled their advantage in the 67th minute.
Mahrez cleared Uganda’s corner and was quickly at the other end to cross low for Amoura,who tapped home his and Algeria’s second in a devastating counter attack.
Bayo pulled one back for Uganda with a minute of normal time to play when he tapped home fellow substitute Basangwa’s ball but it was a little too late for the Cranes.
Uganda Cranes starting XI
Salim Jamal Magoola, Kenneth Semakula, Abdu Aziizi Kayondo, Gift Fred, Halidi Lwaliwa, Khalid Aucho, Bobosi Byaruhanga, Faruku Miya, Emmanuel Okwi, Rogers Mato, Milton Karisa