Under the bright floodlights of a packed Mandela National Stadium, Uganda Cranes delivered a blistering second-half performance to dismantle Mozambique 4-0 and storm into second place in Group G of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
In front of nearly 35,000 roaring fans, Paul Put’s men turned a cautious, wasteful first half into a football spectacle, showcasing precision, flair, and clinical finishing. A brace from Rogers Mato, a thunderbolt from star midfielder Allan Okello, and a rare strike from defender Elio Capradossi sealed Uganda’s most emphatic qualifying victory in recent memory.
Team lineup 🗞️
Aucho captains the team, Salim starts.
Kickoff — 7:00 PM#FIFAWorldCup | #UGAMOZ pic.twitter.com/zvniRJGIkW— Uganda Cranes (@UgandaCranes) September 5, 2025
The breakthrough came just three minutes after halftime when Okello lit up Namboole with a sensational 35-yard screamer that left Mozambique goalkeeper Ivan Urrubal grasping at thin air. The stadium erupted, and Uganda never looked back.
Two minutes later, Jude Ssemugabi came inches from doubling the lead, smashing a fierce drive off the crossbar after a dazzling solo run. Mozambique attempted to stem the tide with a double substitution—Manuel Kambala and Faizal Bangal replacing Ricardo Guimaraes and Pedro Santos—but Uganda’s relentless tempo proved too much.
Captain Khalid Aucho was booked on 58 minutes for dissent, yet the Cranes remained composed. Mozambique’s best chance came on the hour mark when Diogo Cabral’s curling free kick kissed the side netting, a stark reminder of their dwindling threat.
Moments later, Capradossi pounced from close range to double Uganda’s lead, sparking a barrage of attacks that overwhelmed the visitors’ backline. Mato then took center stage, bagging two expertly taken goals to put the game well out of reach and secure a superior goal difference over Mozambique, with both sides now tied on 12 points.
The electric home crowd stayed on their feet until the final whistle, celebrating a statement win that puts Uganda firmly in contention for a historic World Cup berth.
Full-Time! Uganda 4-0 Mozambique #UGAMOZ | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/cMDkxI9Py8
— Uganda Cranes (@UgandaCranes) September 5, 2025
The Cranes’ next assignment is another home clash, this time against CECAFA rivals Somalia, on Monday, September 8, 2025—a fixture that could further cement their credentials as serious contenders.
