Uganda will host South Sudan on Friday in a crucial Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match, looking to solidify their position at the top of Group K. The Cranes have made a strong start to the qualifiers, securing four points from their first two games, while South Sudan finds themselves at the bottom of the group with no points, struggling through an eight-game winless streak.
Match Preview
Uganda: The Cranes enter this match in a promising position, sitting at the top of Group K after drawing 2-2 against South Africa and winning 2-0 against Congo. Their performance has been solid, showcasing resilience and attacking flair, particularly in their recent home win. Uganda aims to achieve back-to-back victories in competitive fixtures for the first time since September 2022, and they are keen to build on their recent form. Although their recent home results in AFCON qualifiers have been mixed, they boast a strong overall record in these matches, going unbeaten in five previous AFCON qualifiers.
South Sudan: The Bright Stars have had a challenging start to their qualifying campaign, suffering narrow defeats to Congo and South Africa. With a goal difference of -2, South Sudan faces a steep uphill battle to keep their qualification hopes alive. Their winless streak has extended to eight matches, with their last victory coming against Kenya in a friendly over a year ago. South Sudan has never qualified for the AFCON, and unless they drastically improve their performances, this trend is likely to continue. Additionally, their poor record against Uganda, where they have never beaten them in six attempts, poses further challenges.
Team News
- Uganda: Aziz Kayondo will look to replicate his Man of the Match performance against Congo, where he scored and helped keep a clean sheet. Rogers Mato Kassim, who has contributed significantly with goals and assists, is expected to be pivotal in midfield.
- South Sudan: Valentino Yuel and Tito Okello will be key players in attack for the Bright Stars, as they seek to find the net and secure vital points. Goalkeeper Majak Mawith has been a standout performer, and he will need to be at his best to keep Uganda at bay. However, South Sudan will be without Joseph Dhata due to an injury sustained during international duty.
Predicted Lineups
Uganda (4-3-3):
- Watenga; Muleme, Mugabi, Awany, Kayondo; Ssekiganda, Mutyaba, Mayanja; Omedi, Mukwala, Mato
South Sudan (4-3-3):
- Mawith; Malis, Gama, Pal; Loki, Nelson, Manase, Rashid; Okello, Majak, Yuel
Prediction
Given Uganda’s strong form and position at the top of Group K, they are clear favorites heading into this match. With a solid attacking lineup and a solid defense, the Cranes are likely to secure a convincing victory against a South Sudan side struggling for form.
Predicted Score: Uganda 3-0 South Sudan.
