Overview:

Cranes coach Paul Put made three changes to the side that started at Namboole last Friday. UPL club Vipers star, Allan Okello, was handed a starting role ahead of Travis Mutyaba, with Tadeo Lwanga getting a nod ahead of SC Villa's Ronald Ssekiganda alongside skipper Khalid Aucho in midfield. KCCA’s Derrick Nsibambi came in for Kitara’s Jude Ssemugabi.

AFCON 2025 qualifiers, Group K

Matchday Four Results

South Sudan 1-2 Uganda

Congo 1-1 South Africa 

Remaining Group K Fixtures

Nov 15: South Sudan vs Congo

Nov 15: Uganda vs South Africa

Nov 19: South Africa vs South Sudan

Nov 19: Congo vs Uganda

StarTimes Uganda Premier League superstar Denis Omedi scored the opener and South Sudanese Alfred Leku added an own goal as the Cranes beat the Bright Stars 2-1 on Tuesday to edge closest to Morocco AFCON 2025 finals. 

The victory in Juba could have confirmed Uganda’s qualification with two matches to spare but a 1-1 draw between South Africa and Congo in Brazzaville later on delayed that at least until next month.

A point in the remaining two games against South Africa at Namboole and Congo in Brazzaville is enough to see Uganda return to Afcon for the first time since Egypt 2019. 

Failure for Congo to beat South Sudan would also be enough for Uganda to return to the Nations Cup finals. 

This was Uganda’s third win in four matches and moved them to 10 points in Group K, two ahead of South Africa.

Congo, who will end the campaign at home against Uganda, have four points while South Sudan are bottom with zero.

Cranes coach Paul Put made three changes to the side that started at Namboole last Friday.

UPL club Vipers star, Allan Okello, was handed a starting role ahead of Travis Mutyaba, with Tadeo Lwanga getting a nod ahead of SC Villa’s Ronald Ssekiganda alongside skipper Khalid Aucho in midfield. KCCA’s Derrick Nsibambi came in for Kitara’s Jude Ssemugabi.

 

Uganda scored first with Okello cutting in from the right and passing to Kitara striker, Omedi, the latter brilliantly controlling in one touch before drilling home his effort for a 16th minute lead.

But the hosts hit back five minutes later, Yohanna Juma Paulino beating Cranes goalkeeper Ismail Watenga from distance on 21 minutes. 

After the break, coach Put introduced Mutyaba, Ssemugabi and Steven Mukwala for Okello, Mato and Nsibambi and the impact was almost instant.

Ssemugabi won a free kick down the right and was on the other end to flick Mutyaba’s delivery in off Leku’s unfortunate shoulder for Uganda’s winner on 65 minutes.

It was credited to Leku as an own goal but Uganda didn’t care. The Cranes next face South Africa at Namboole next month.