The Uganda Cranes are set to host Botswana on Friday, June 7 at Namboole, in a crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier. The home team enters this fixture with a perfect 3-0 head-to-head record against the Botswana Zebras, having triumphed in all their previous encounters.
The Cranes kicked off their dominance on August 30, 2013, with a 3-1 victory in an international friendly in Gaborone, thanks to a brace from former skipper Emma Okwi and a goal from Frank Kalanda. On June 13, 2015, in the 2017 AFCON qualifiers, the Cranes secured a 2-0 win at Namboole, with goals from Geoffrey Massa, now the team manager, and Brian Umony. In the return leg of the 2017 AFCON qualifiers, the Cranes clinched a 2-1 victory in Francistown, courtesy of goals from William Luwagga Kizito and Khalid Aucho, eventually qualifying for the 2017 AFCON Finals in Gabon.
Local pundits are optimistic about the Cranes’ chances of boosting their World Cup qualifying campaign with another win over Botswana. Currently, Uganda sits fourth in Group G with three points from two games, while Botswana is second, also with three points but a better goal difference. Algeria leads the group with six points, setting the stage for a high-stakes match against Uganda on June 10.