Daily Reports
Algeria Triumphs Over Uganda in Crucial Qualifier
Algeria can breathe a sigh of relief after a hard-fought victory over Uganda on Monday. Beaten at home by Guinea last Thursday with a 1-2 scoreline, the Algerian squad, led by head coach Vladimir Petkovic, needed a win to keep their 2026 World Cup qualification hopes alive. The Greens delivered by clinching the game and temporarily regained the lead in their qualifying group.
The game started on a challenging note for Algeria, with Uganda's Travis Mutyaba capitalizing on a defensive error to score the opener in the 10th minute. Facing early difficulties, Algeria relied heavily on their goalkeeper, Anthony Mandrea, who made several crucial saves to keep them in the match.
As the game progressed, Algeria's performance improved. AS Roma midfielder Houssem Aouar equalized just one minute into the second half, injecting much-needed energy into the team. A few minutes later, Olympique Lyonnais winger Saïd Benrahma converted a well-orchestrated play by Mohammed Amoura into the winning goal in the 58th minute.
Implications for Group G Standings
This victory is Algeria's first official win since November 2023, when they triumphed over Mozambique. With this result, Algeria leads Group G in the Africa zone qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, holding a three-point advantage over competitors Botswana and Guinea, who are set to face each other later Monday evening. The group’s top position is crucial as only the first-place team will directly secure a ticket to the 2026 World Cup.
The match took place at the Mandela National Stadium in Kampala, Uganda, overseen by a Beninese refereeing team led by Adisa Abdelrafiou. The clash started at 19:00 Mecca time (17:00 Algeria time) and was broadcast on SSC Extra 1 HD.
Preparations and Future Prospects
The Algerian squad was well-prepared for this encounter, partaking in a morning training session before heading to Kampala. Key players such as Baghdad Bounedjah had a burning desire to secure a win and reclaim their stature after the defeat by Guinea. Their next goal will undoubtedly be to maintain their lead and continue to perform strongly in the upcoming qualifiers.
With the three-point cushion at the top of the group, Algeria looks poised to continue their journey towards the 2026 World Cup, aiming to replicate and surpass their past successes.
- Algeria's path in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers has been a rollercoaster ride. Initially dominating by securing wins against Somalia and Mozambique in the first two rounds, their journey hit a snag with the unexpected loss to Guinea.
- The resilience and determination showcased by key players like Ismaël Bennacer, Houssem Aouar, and Saïd Benrahma highlight the squad's depth and capability. This victory not only boosts team morale but also places them in a strategic position in Group G.
