Algeria ends Uganda Cranes FIFA World Cup dream

• FIFA World Cup Qualifiers | Result
• Algeria 2-1 Uganda

Uganda Cranes’ dream of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup has been put to bed by Algeria.

Uganda suffered a painful 2-1 loss to Algeria in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers encounter at the Stade Hocine Ait Ahmed on Tuesday.

Paul Put’s charges came into the game with a plan of getting a victory so that they can make it to the four-second runners-up that would hold into the FIFA World Cup Playoffs.

Steven Mukwala’s well-hit effort found the back of the net in the sixth minute, thus giving the visitors more hope that the dream was still alive.

From that point, Uganda was behind the ball as they soaked in Algeria’s pressure in front of a very loud crowd on the day.

Halfway through the first period, Jude Ssemugabi came close to extending Uganda’s lead but his touch went narrowly wide of the frame after being set up by Mukwala.

Goalkeeper Salim Magoola was asked a few questions but he responded well, allowing Uganda to go into the halftime break with a 1-0 lead.

Ten minutes into the second half, Allan Okello witnessed with low effort go slightly wide as Uganda kept holding onto the narrow lead.

However, the late drama started in the 80th minute after the referee awarded Algeria a penalty, accusing Mukwala of handling the ball in the area.

Mohamed Amoura stepped up to the occasion and sent Magoola the wrong way as Algeria finally found the long-awaited equaliser.

Four minutes later, Algeria were awarded a second penalty after Magoola was penalised for a penalty in the area before he was carried off the field injured.

Once again, Amoura powerfully slotted the ball home as Onyango went the wrong way, placing Algeria in the driving seat in added time.

After the loss, Uganda concluded the long campaign second in the group with 18 points, which is a decent run for Paul Put’s boys.

Uganda Cranes will regroup ahead of the African Cup of Nations finals scheduled for December 2025.