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Uganda secured victory against Somalia in a football match despite early challenges. Rogers Mato scored the winning goal. Somalia defended well, but Uganda held onto their lead, ultimately winning the campaign with Somalia suffering a second defeat in the qualifiers.

Rogers Mato powered the Cranes into the lead with a close-range strike four minutes into the opening half, with goalkeeper Yuusuf Mustaf   and his captain Abdi Ahmed well beaten.

Paul Put’s team quickly got into the swing of things, controlling possession early on in the match on the same Moroccan turf at Berkane Municipal Stadium where they had lost 1-2 to Guinea just four days earlier.

By contrast, the Somalis seemed content to wait it out and hope for counterattacks. Elmi Saadiq crashed down the left flank during one of the Ocean Stars’ offensive surges, whipping a cross into the box, but his teammates could not get there in time to connect.

Not long after, Hassan Sakariya’s teasing effort failed to trouble Ugandan goalkeeper Ismael Watenga, who was favoured this time over Salim Jamal Magoola for this second group match.

Although the Cranes saw a lot of ball, they lacked the sharpness and accuracy needed to destroy the Somali stronghold.

After taking down Issa Yusuf Adan, who required on-field medical attention, Ugandan captain Khalid Aucho gave away a freekick in a physical altercation. With enough ease, the Cranes stopped the ensuing take to mount their own counterattack.

Travis Mutyaba had the simple task of threading the ball through to his teammate, but he was already offside when the flag was raised, giving Somalia a major let-off during that advance.

Mutyaba was a tireless worker who was frequently the catalyst for Uganda’s dangerous attacks because he was omnipresent in midfield and down the right flank.

But occasionally, the Dinamo Tbilisi midfielder’s over-elaboration proved to be his downfall. Once, for example, he was slaloming through a slew of blue shirts thanks to his clever footwork, but he was eventually crowded out and had to give up possession inside the opponents’ box.

Allan Oyirwoth, a 17-year-old making his debut in Uganda, had a solid game. The midfielder for Amus College displayed his raw ability when he saw his daring long-range attempt sail over the crossbar and past goalkeeper Mustaf.

At the half-hour mark, the young player had another chance, but he was unable to maintain his balance inside the box when faced with intense pressure from a hopeful freekick from Mutyaba.

With Mutyaba and Mato, Uganda Cranes got very close to extending their lead in the first half. The latter had the better opportunity, but Fahad Bayo—who scored Uganda’s lone goal against Guinea last Friday—played him through beautifully, and he was unable to round the Somali goalkeeper.

Abdi Ahmed was sent off during first-half stoppage time, leaving Somalia with just 10 players after the captain knocked down Mato on the sidelines. Mato needed an on-field examination from the physiotherapists in order to return to the game.

Uganda hoped to take advantage of their numerical advantage in the second half and went into halftime with a goal advantage. However, Put’s strategy of creating opportunity after opportunity was put out by the discipline of the Somalis.

Despite changes on both sides, the score was unaltered. Mutyaba went down inside the box late in the 85th minute, but Equatorial Guinean referee Owono Asangono Jose Nguema signaled play to continue.

Moroccan Rachid Lousteque’s team held onto some optimism as the game progressed and the lead remained slim, but their lack of players up front kept them behind.

The Cranes were in for a repeat performance as they gave up a freekick and subsequently a corner deep in stoppage time. However, the final whistle blew by the referee soon calmed the Ugandans down, just seconds after the corner kick was headed out of danger.

Ultimately, Uganda emerged victorious in the campaign while Somalia suffered a second defeat of these qualifiers.