Uganda Cranes edge closer to AFCON 2025

JUBA – Uganda Cranes moved closer to earning qualification to the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 after securing a 2-1 win over South Sudan at Juba Stadium on Tuesday.

Despite a heavy downpour that ascended to Juba both before and during the game, Uganda showed character to secure all three points.

Ugandans in South Sudan turned up in big numbers and indeed made their presence felt amidst the harsh weather conditions.

Coach Paul Put made three changes from the team that had started at Mandela National Stadium last week.

Taddeo Lwanga, Allan Okello and Derrick Nsibambi all started ahead of Ronald Ssekiganda, Travis Mutyaba and Jude Ssemugabi.

Right from onset, Uganda proved the stronger side and made several inroads at the South Sudan goal.

The pressure eventually yielded fruits at the quarter hour mark when Denis Omedi was at the end of a well structured move.

Okello drove towards goal from the right wing and his through pass met Omedi who fired a low drive into the back of the net.

The lead however lasted a few minutes with South Sudan equalizing through Yohanna Paulinho.

At the start of the second half, coach Put made a change, introducing Mutyaba in place of Okello.

The change paid off with Mutyaba’s delivery from a free kick in the 65th minute headed by Ssemugabi before deflecting off South Sudan’s Alfred Leku into the back of the net.

The Uganda Cranes held onto the lead throughout the remaining minutes to eventually claim victory.

The result means Uganda leads Group K on 10 points and need just a point from the remaining two games.

The next window in November will see Uganda hosting South Africa on 15th November before ending the campaign away to Congo.