- Thursday, March 20, 2025
- Mozambique vs Uganda – Cairo International Stadium, 4:00 pm (EAT)
Uganda will be looking to return to winning ways in a bid to secure a spot in the 2026 World Cup when they visit Mozambique in Egypt at the Cairo International Stadium.
The Cranes lost 2-1 to Algeria at home in June last year despite taking a first-half lead at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole which left them in 5th position with 6 points, three adrift of both Mozambique and Algeria who are joint top.
Victory for Paul Put’s men will put them on the same points as Mozambique before the home duel against Guinea on March 25.
Head-to-Head
This will be the first-ever official meeting between the two sides.
In this campaign, Mozambique has won three matches versus Somalia (2-1), Botswana (3-2) and Guinea (1-0) losing to Algeria (0-2) while Uganda beat Somalia (1-0) and Botswana (1-0) but lost to Guinea (2-1) and Algeria (2-1).
Team News
Centre back Elio Capradossi who made his debut in this very campaign against Botswana was initially excluded from the squad but he is available in camp.
However, he is most likely not to play with reports he is injured.
Fellow centre back Halid Lwaliwa was overlooked with Put confirming the duo is injured.
Rogers Mato is suspended for the game after accumulating two yellow cards but will be available for the clash against Guinea five days later in Kampala but Bobosi Byaruhanga, also suspended wasn’t summoned.
Muhammad Shaban missed the last Afcon 2025 qualifying matches due to injury but he is back and available for selection.
Wigan Athletic defender Tobby Sibbick could make his competitive debut after being recalled while NEC midfielder Enock Ssebagala earned his first call on the senior team.
How Uganda Cranes could line up
In goal, Ismail Watenga is shoo-in to reprise in his role as the Uganda Cranes’ number one at the moment.
At right back, Paul Put has only one natural right back in Elvis Bwomono but over time, he has used centre back Kenneth Ssemakula in the role while Gavin Kizito, also naturally a centre back has been converted into a right back over the years.
With Ssemakula summoned amongst midfielders, a position he plays in Tunisia with Club Africain, then Bwomono stands a chance to return to the team.
At left back, Aziz Kayondo has always been preferred ahead of Isaac Muleme and I don’t expect any changes in the position.
Put has interesting choices at centre back with Timothy Awany and Bevis Mugabi likely to be his choices in the absence of injured Halid Lwaliwa and Capradossi not fully fit but Tobby Sibbick and Rogers Torach also provide viable options.
Khalid Aucho will anchor the midfield as skipper but who he plays alongside in a double pivot is the choice Put has to make between Ronald Ssekiganda and probably Ssemakula although workaholic Karim Watambala offers a different option as well.
Travis Mutyaba and Allan Okello are decent choices in the number 10 role although the Belgian has always preferred to start the former with the latter as his substitute.
The centre forward role has candidates in Muhammad Shaban and Steven Mukwala but the latter is in good form at Simba and is likely to start or they both could play with Mukwala on the left of a three-man attack with Jude Ssemugabi completing the trio on the right side.
Probable XI
Isma Watenga (GK), Elvis Bwomono, Aziz Kayondo, Bevis Mugabi, Timothy Awany, Khalid Aucho (C), Ronald Ssekiganda, Travis Mutyaba, Jude Ssemugabi, Steven Mukwala, Muhammad Shaban
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