Somalia, Uganda suffer defeat in friendly matches

The national teams of Somalia and Uganda Cranes have suffered defeats in international friendly matches as they prepare ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers.

Uganda Cranes under interim coach Morley Byekwaso Ochama lost 1-0 away to Mali in a match played in Bamako on Friday evening.

Lassine Sinayoko netted the lone goal from a penalty kick after 74 minutes at the Stade du 26 Mars Stadium in Bamako.

” Although we lost the match, our team played well and created some good chances. We now need to prepare well ahead of the next friendly match against Zambia on October 17th in Dubai, ” added Ochama.

On Saturday Somalia also lost 3-0 to Niger in a match played at the El Bachir Stadium in Morocco. Kairou Amoustapha gave Niger the lead after only 9 minutes, and Amadou Wonkoye increased the lead from the penalty spot after 26 minutes. Boubacar Goumeye made it 3-0 for Niger after 74 minutes.

The Somalia team tried to push forward to find the goals, but found the Niger defending line very tight.

Uganda and Somalia will return to action in other international friendly matches against Zambia and Sierra Leone respectively on Tuesday.

On Sunday evening Sudan under new coach James Kwesi Appiah settled for a 1-1 draw against Tanzania in a friendly match played in Saudi Arabia. On Monday Harambee Stars of Kenya will face Russia in a match to be played in Turkey.