Uganda suffered a 2-0 defeat against 2019 African Champions, Algeria in their Group F opening game of the 2023 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers on Saturday.
Aissa Mandi put the hosts in front in the 28th minute after a dominant showing at the 5 July 1962 Stadium in Algiers.
A few minutes later, Cranes midfielder Khalid Aucho was fouled in area and a penalty decision was given in favor of Uganda, but Faruku Miya failed to convert from the spot.
With 10 minutes left on the clock, Youcef Belaili netted a spectacular goal after dancing through Uganda’s defense to seal the win.
Cranes tactician, Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojević tried to make a few tweaks to change the course of the game but in vain.
He withdrew captain Emmanuel Okwi and Faruku Miya for Steven Sserwadda and Martin Kizza a few minutes after recess.
He would later on, make more changes with Hakim Kiwanuka, Derrick Kakooza and Bobosi Byaruhanga coming on in place of Allan Okello, Milton Karisa and Marvin Youngman.
Saturday’s result means Algeria are top of Group F, as Uganda drop to the bottom after the earlier group game between Niger and Tanzania ended 1-1.
The cranes turn their focus to their next Qualification game on Wednesday. They will host Niger at St.Mary’s Stadium in Kitende outside the capital, Kampala.
Micho and his men will be hoping to avoid ghosts from the previous qualification campaign, where they failed to book a berth at finals.
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