Mozambique moved to the top of Group G in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers with a commanding 3-1 victory over Uganda at the Cairo Stadium on Thursday.

A dominant first-half display saw the Mambas secure all three points as Pepo netted twice before turning provider for Stanley Ratifo’s late goal just before half-time.

Uganda’s Muhammad Shaban had briefly restored parity early on, but the Cranes were left with an uphill battle after Denis Omedi’s red card before the break.

The result moves Mozambique to 12 points, three ahead of Algeria, who face Botswana on Friday and need a win to keep pace in the group.

Uganda, meanwhile, remains in third place with Botswana and Guinea, all tied on six points.

Pepo shines as Mozambique take control

Mozambique wasted little time in asserting their dominance, opening the scoring in just the fourth minute through Pepo, who capitalized on defensive hesitation to slot home.

However, Uganda responded swiftly, with Shaban equalizing in the seventh minute after a well-placed shot inside the box.

The Mambas, however, continued to dictate the tempo and were back in front by the 17th minute.

A mistake from Uganda’s goalkeeper allowed Pepo to pounce on a loose ball and bag his second of the match, further strengthening Mozambique’s hold on the game.

Things went from bad to worse for Uganda as Omedi received two yellow cards in the space of five minutes (34’, 39’), reducing his team to ten men.

Mozambique seized the opportunity, and in first-half stoppage time, Pepo turned provider, setting up Ratifo to make it 3-1 at the break.

A second-half stalemate sees Mozambique home

Despite their numerical advantage, Mozambique was unable to extend their lead after the interval. Uganda, to their credit, tightened up defensively and managed to keep the Mambas at bay.

However, with a two-goal cushion, Mozambique had done enough to claim victory and take pole position in Group G.

Algeria now faces added pressure ahead of their clash with Botswana, knowing that anything less than three points will leave Mozambique in sole control of the group ahead of their crucial showdown on Matchday 6.

-CAF

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Japan beat Bahrain 2-0 in Saitama on Thursday to become the first team to qualify for the 2026 World Cup and extend their run of successive appearances at the finals to eight.

The 2026 tournament will be staged in the United States, Mexico and Canada, and is the first to have a field of 48 teams, up from 32 in 2022.

-Reuters

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As the build-up to the Group C World Cup qualifiers of Rwanda and Nigeria continues, Rwanda’s lead newspaper, The New Times has established key battle fronts to be expected on Friday at theAmahoro Stadium.

Keenness is the key word as Rwanda aims to consolidate the Group C leadership while the underperforming Super Eagles aim to get their hopes back on track.

New Times has established five key battles to look out for in the match.

Claude Niyomugabo vs Ola Aina

It was a fascinating battle when the two players last faced each other which was in the 2025 AFCON qualifiers in Kigali on September 10, 2024.

Niyomugabo played as if he was possessed and Ola Aina will admit he has never been tormented by another fullback in his career like that. The Nottingham Forest star got booked on the stroke of halftime by Moroccan referee Karim Sabry for pulling the jersey of Niyomugabo who had left him for dead.

It will be another fierce battle on Friday and Niyomugabo will want to show again that he can compete against some of the best in the world.

Kevin Muhire vs Wilfred Ndidi

Muhire ran the show against the more experienced Ndidi and occasionally left the Nigeria deputy skipper marking only shadows.

Muhire was so swift, his passes, and ability to move into empty spaces and others were spot on when the two teams met in September last year.

Will the Rayon Sports skipper be able to replicate that performance or will Ndidi come out victorious this time? Only time will tell.

Victor Osimhen vs Ange Mutsinzi

Ange Mutsinzi did a good job by man-marking the Nigerian star when the two teams met six months ago. Osimhen was restricted to just three chances when he came on in the second half as Amavubi pulled a 0-0 draw.

The telepathic understanding between Mutsinzi and his defensive partner Thierry Manzi worked on the day as though the former was marking Osimhen, the latter stood close so as to offer additional support.

Osimhen is expected to start on Friday and will the Amavubi pair be able to hold him for 90 minutes? Mutsinzi may have learnt his lessons as in the 2023 AFCON qualifiers, he pocketed Sadio Mane for 95 minutes before conceding a 96th-minute penalty as Amavubi lost 1-0.

Bonheur Mugisha vs Ademola Lookman

Lookman was the most dangerous Nigerian player the last time the two teams met in Kigali in September 2024.

The Atalanta star played as a number 10 and he caused problems for Bonheur Mugisha early in the game before the Stade Tunisien player warmed himself into the encounter and had a wonderful outing.

It will be an intriguing battle again between the two players should Eric Chelle choose to deploy Lookman as a number 10.

Nigerian attack vs Fiacre Ntwari

Fiacre Ntwari made an incredible 11 saves as Amavubi drew 0-0 with Nigeria at the same venue in a 2025 AFCON qualifier in 2024. Ntwari earned praise from then Nigeria coach Augustine Eguavoen who described him as the man of the match and one of the best keepers he has seen.

Nigeria is spoilt for choice in attack. They have Osimhen, Victor Moses, Umar Sadiq, Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, Tolu Arokodare and others who cause havoc on any day.

They will start firing from all angles as usual and Ntwari must have to prove his mettle again by saving Amavubi as he did in September 2024.

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