Uganda Cranes coach Paul Put remains optimistic about his team’s chances of securing a second win at the Mandela National Stadium on Monday.
The Cranes are set to face Algeria at 7 PM in a critical 2026 FIFA World Cup African Qualifiers group stage match.
The Uganda Cranes are coming off a narrow 1-0 victory against Botswana in their last qualifier match on Friday. In contrast, Algeria suffered a surprising 2-1 loss to Guinea-Bissau.
Despite Algeria’s setback, Coach Put acknowledged the strength of the Algerian team but expressed confidence in his squad’s ability to compete.
“What I have been seeing after Botswana is that we can make it difficult for Algeria,” Put said during a media briefing on Sunday. “But we know Algeria have big players, playing in big teams. After their last loss, they will surely want to react. Algeria had one more day of recuperation than us because we played Botswana on the 7th.” he said
Uganda Cranes captain Ismaiel Watenga echoed his coach’s sentiments, expressing positivity and readiness for the match. “We have everything, including the coaches, and now it’s up to us to implement on the field. We are ready to fight as players, and it won’t be an easy game for them,” Watenga stated.
This match is the fourth of ten in the group stage for both teams, and it holds significant importance as both Uganda and Algeria are tied in points in Group G. Algeria, however, tops the table due to a superior goal difference, while Uganda stands in third place.
Both teams have shown strong performances this year, having reached the group stage of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. Their last encounter was in June 2023 during the AFCON qualifiers, where Algeria emerged victorious. Uganda has displayed consistency in recent matches, while Algeria’s performances have been mixed.
In terms of FIFA rankings, there is a notable gap between the teams. Uganda is ranked 92nd, whereas Algeria holds the 43rd position. Despite the rankings, the upcoming match is crucial for both teams as they seek to solidify their positions for the remaining qualifiers.
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