Uganda Cranes off to Botswana to embark on crucial World Cup Qualifiers

Courtesy Photo 

The Uganda Cranes have set off for Francistown, Botswana, ahead of their highly anticipated 2026 FIFA World Cup Group G match against the Zebras on Thursday, October 9, 2025.

A contingent of eight players, including seven local-based talents and one foreign-based player, departed Entebbe International Airport at 2:45 am, led by FUFA Exco Member Ronnie Kalema.

Courtesy Photo 

The players who departed from Entebbe include Allan Okello (Vipers SC), Rogers Torach (Vipers SC), Hilary Mukundane (Vipers SC), Enock Ssebagala (Vipers SC), Gavin Kizito (KCCA), Herbert Achayi (KCCA), Reagan Mpande (SC Villa) and Jude Ssemugabi from Jamus FC (South Sudan).

The remaining foreign-based players will join the team directly from their clubs in Botswana.

This crucial match against Botswana comes after Uganda’s 2-0 victory over Somalia on September 8, 2025, at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole.

The win took Uganda to 15 points in Group G, level with Mozambique, keeping their World Cup hopes alive.

Allan Okello and Jude Ssemugabi scored the decisive goals for the Cranes.

After facing Botswana, Uganda will travel to Algiers to take on group leaders Algeria on October 14, 2025, in the final group game.

Algeria currently tops the group with 19 points, four points ahead of Uganda.

The Cranes will need to secure positive results in these matches to keep their World Cup dreams alive.

Group G Standings
– Algeria: 19 points
– Uganda: 15 points (level with Mozambique)