Group G
Thursday, November 16
•Botswana 2-3 Mozambique
•Algeria 3-1 Somalia
Friday, November 17
•Guinea Vs Uganda – 4pm (EAT)
Preview:
Uganda Cranes will start their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with an away fixture against Guinea on Friday.
This game will be played at the Stade Du Municipal in Berkane, Morocco, as hosts Guinea doesn’t have a stadium that passed the CAF Licensing standard.
It’s a game that carries huge significance for the Cranes who will be playing under new coach Paul Put.
The Belgian who was recently unveiled, replaced Serbian Milutin Micho Sredejovic who failed to take the Cranes to 2023 AFCON.
The task at hand is huge for the new gaffer who has been with the Boys for just few training sessions.
And after Guinea, there will be no time to rest as Uganda will face hosts Somalia next Tuesday, still at the same venue.
This tricky Group G also has Algeria, Botswana and Mozambique.
The nine group winners will automatically qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in USA, Canada and Mexico – and one team will enter the FIFA play-off tournament.
Who is Guinea?
Guinea is a West African Nation that borders football powerhouses Senegal, Ivory Coast and Mali.
It shouldn’t be confused with Guinea-Bissau, this one is Guinea whose capital is Conakry with a population of about 14m people.
Just like Uganda, they have never qualified for the World Cup and their best success was reaching the final of the 1976 Africa Cup of Nations.
They are ranked 80th in FIFA Rankings, sitting about ten places better than 90th placed Uganda Cranes.
Coached by Kaba Diawara, Guinea managed to qualify for the forthcoming 2023 AFCON, finishing second behind Egypt.
The side is captained by former Liverpool player Naby Keita while Stuttgart forward Serhou Guirassy was also named in the squad despite recent injury struggles.
Also Watch:
Probable Lineups
Guinea – Ibrahim Kone; Dembo Sylla, Mohammed Camara, Salidou Sow, Oumar Sylla; Amadour Diawara, Mory Konate, Seydouba Cisse; Serhou Guirassy, Morgan Suilavogui, Mohammed Bayo
Uganda – Salim Jamal, Elvis Bwomono, Aziz Kayondo, Halid Lwaliwa, Bevis Mugabi, Khalid Aucho, Bright Anukani, Milton Karisa, Kizito Luwaga, Yunus Sentamu, Richard Basangwa
Head To Head
2014: Guinea 2-0 Uganda (AFCON)
2014: Uganda 2-0 Guinea (AFCON)
2001: Guinea 0-0 Uganda (AFCON)
2000: Uganda 3-1 Guinea (AFCON)
2000: Guinea 3-0 Uganda (World Cup Qualifiers)
2000: Uganda 4-4 Guinea
1976: Guinea 2-1 Uganda (AFCON)
