Jude Ssemugabi was the hero with the solitary goal as Uganda Cranes recorded a slim 1-0 victory over the Botswana Zebras in FrancisTown during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Ssemugabi was positioned to head into the net off an inviting corner kick by Allan Okello in the 56th minute of the game.
Before the goal, Rogers Kassim Mato and Ssemugabi himself had got closer to breaking the deadlock with no avail.
The breakthrough moment came in 10 minutes into the second half when Ssemugabi, all alone headed home at the near post off Okello’s corner kick delivery.
With Algeria already through to the FIFA World Cup 2026 following a convincing 3-0 win over Somalia, Uganda Cranes can only pray to make it via the play-offs.
Uganda Cranes now has 18 points as has kept the qualification hopes alive among the top four teams to make it to play offs.
Algeria hosts Uganda next on Tuesday, 14th October 2025.
