Mozambique win takes them top of Group C

03/20/2025 11:10 AM

Mozambique took control of Group C after they ran out deserved 3-1 victors over 10-man Uganda in the 2026 World Cup qualifier at the Cairo International Stadium on Thursday, March 20.

All four goals came in the first half as Chiquinho Conde’s side went three points clear of Algeria at the summit, with the Cranes unmoved in fifth position after suffering back-to-back defeats.

Mozambique were seeking their third straight win in qualifying to keep pace with the Fennec Foxes, while Uganda looked to bounce back from their second loss in four games in a bid to stay in touch with the frontrunners.

The designated home team got off to the best possible start when Pepo advanced into the box and lashed a powerful shot past Ismail Watenga to open the scoring in the third minute.

However, the Cranes quickly hit back as Muhammad Shaban equalised with a crisp strike of his own on seven minutes after receiving the ball from Allan Okello.

Parity lasted just nine minutes though, with Pepo getting his name on the scoresheet again thanks to another clinical finish to restore the Mamba’s lead.

The visitors then suffered a setback when Denis Omedi was sent off for bringing down Geny Catamo, having picked up two yellow cards in the space of just five minutes.

Stanley Ratifo wasted little time in making them pay as he beat his marker inside the area before tucking his shot into the bottom corner of the net in the third minute of stoppage time at the end of the first half.

Gildo Lourenco had an early chance to put the game to bed after the restart, but he failed to hit the target from Bruno Langa’s cross on 55 minutes.

The woodwork would come to Mozambique’s rescue five minutes later as Ernan Siluane was well beaten by Jude Ssemugabi’s shot, only for the ball to cannon back off the crossbar.

Both coaches made numerous changes in the final 30 minutes, although the score remained unchanged and the Mambas claimed their third win in five matches.

Mozambique (3) 3 (Pepo 3′, 16′, Ratifo 45+3′)
Uganda (1) 1 (Shaban 7′)