Uganda Cranes sink Botswana on return to Mandela National Stadium, Namboole

After over four years it was a sweet return for the Uganda Cranes to Mandela National Stadium, Namboole as they tamed Botswana 1-0 in a FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier on Friday night.

After a goalless first half, the Botswana team returned stringing some good passes around, but the Uganda Cranes were more than hungry to collect three points in their Group G match watched by over 30,000 fans.

Shaban who had replaced Steven Mukwala capitalized on Denis Omedi’s cross to place the ball past Botswana’s goalkeeper Goitseone Phoko and send the fans into jubilation at the refurbished Stadium. Omedi had also come on for Elvis Bwomono.

After taking the lead, the Cranes pushed further ahead in search of more goals as Rogers Mato and Bobosi Byaruhanga added a spark of attack in-front. Italian based defender Elio Capradossi who was making his debut for Uganda also put up a good show.

“I am happy that the team played with a lot of confidence and scored to win the match. We need to prepare well ahead of the next match with Algeria on Monday,” said Uganda Cranes head coach Paul Put.

In the other Group G match played Mozambique defeated Somalia 2-1 in a match played in Maputo. Alfons Amade and Stanley Ratifo netted first half goals for the hosts, but Somalia pulled one back after 66 minutes through Ismail Shirwa.

Uganda moved to third place in Group G with 6 points, below Algeria and Benin who also have the same number of points, but a better goal difference. Uganda will next host 2019 African champions Algeria on June 10^th, while Guinea hosts Mozambique in a match to be played in Morocco.

Two other teams from the CECAFA Zone Kenya and Burundi settled for a 1-1 draw in a Group F match played in Lilongwe, Malawi. The two teams each have 4 points each, although Kenya with a better goal difference are ahead in third place behind Gabon and Senegal.