For a few fleeting minutes, it felt like destiny had finally smiled on Ugandan football. Under the bright lights of Boukhalfa, the Cranes looked fearless, composed, hungry, and ready to write a new chapter in the nation’s sporting history. But as the final whistle blew, heartbreak replaced hope. Algeria 2, Uganda 1. And just like that, the 2026 World Cup dream was over.
A Dream Start
Steven Mukwala’s early goal in the sixth minute sent Ugandan hearts soaring. His calm finish past Luca Zidane, son of the legendary Zinedine Zidane, was a moment of pure composure, crafted from hustle and heart. Kenneth Ssemakula’s tackle to win back possession and create the chance symbolized the grit that has defined this Ugandan side under coach Paul Put.
The Cranes could have doubled their lead before halftime. Jude Ssemugabi slid inches away from connecting with Mukwala’s teasing cross, while Allan Okello’s dazzling run early in the second half deserved a better ending. For much of the night, Uganda matched the mighty Desert Foxes stride for stride, and for long stretches, outplayed them.
When Pressure Became Too Heavy
But Algeria, already qualified for the World Cup, didn’t stay quiet for long. Their frontmen, Mohamed Amoura and Riyad Mahrez, began to turn up the heat. The Ugandan backline, led by Elio Capradossi, Jordan Obita, and a tireless Aziz Kayondo, absorbed wave after wave of pressure.
Then came the cruel twist of fate. In the 81st minute, Mukwala, the night’s hero, turned villain for a brief second, penalized for a handball inside the box. Amoura stepped up and converted, silencing Ugandan hopes with a crisp finish from the spot.
And just when the Cranes seemed destined to hold on for a heroic draw, chaos struck again deep into stoppage time. Goalkeeper Salim Jamal collided with an Algerian attacker and was harshly adjudged to have fouled him. Stretchered off injured, Jamal could only watch as substitute Denis Onyango’s first task was to face another penalty. Amoura didn’t blink 90+9 minutes, 2–1 Algeria. Uganda’s dream was gone.
The result left Uganda on 18 points, seven behind Algeria, and outside the race for the CAF World Cup playoff spots. Yet, amid the disappointment, there’s a quiet sense of pride. This was not the Uganda of old. Under Paul Put, the Cranes showed tactical discipline, attacking flair, and a newfound belief that they could stand toe-to-toe with Africa’s elite.
This campaign may not have ended in glory, but it has sparked something deeper — belief. The kind that builds champions over time.
Eyes on Morocco, and Beyond
With the World Cup dream fading into the night, focus now shifts to the Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco (December 21, 2025 – January 8, 2026). For Uganda, this isn’t the end, it’s the beginning of another climb.
The lessons from Boukhalfa will sting for a while. But if there’s one thing Ugandan football has shown, it’s resilience. From heartbreak to hope, the Cranes have built a foundation, one that can one day lift them to the world’s biggest stage.
So yes, Boyz II Men’s “End of the Road” might feel too real right now. But for the Cranes, the road hasn’t truly ended — it’s just turned uphill again.
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