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Mohamed Amoura scored a brace for the Desert Foxes in either half, while Fahad Bayo’s goal in the 89th minute was too little too late.
The Uganda Cranes suffered a significant set back in their 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification campaign as they suffered a 2-1 defeat to Algeria at the Jopama Stadium in Cameroon.
Mohamed Amoura scored a brace for the Desert Foxes in either half, while Fahad Bayo’s goal in the 89th minute was too little too late.
With Algeria already confirming their qualification for the tournament finals, the Cranes headed into the game aware of Tanzania’s 1-0 victory over Niger in the earlier group F encounter.
And that set the task for Uganda, who needed to avoid defeat to stay with an equally good chance of progress.
Algeria coach Djamel Belmadi made wholesale changes to his starting line up from their earlier meeting, with only Ramy Bensebaini the only survivor.
On the other hand, Cranes coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic made only two changes to his line up from the midweek friendly against DR Congo, with Khalid Aucho and Milton Karisa have been handed starting berths.
But the Cranes did not have the needed start to the game, with Algeria having the better of possession, and by the first water break, its Algeria who had created the better opportunities.
Uganda turned the tide after the opening half hour with their first sight on goal as Captain Emmanuel Okwi playing through Rogers Mato but his cut back was cut out by Bensebaini before Farouk Miya got a touch to it.
Miya was again at the centre of another opportunity for the Cranes, but his volley inside the 18 yard box forced a fine save from goalkeeper Anthony Mandrea.
The Cranes’ developing momentum was quickly slowed down in the 42nd minute, following an error from goalkeeper Salim Jamal in the team’s build up.
Jamal’s low ball into the area was cut out by Harris Belkebla, whose attempted shot was then spilled into the path of Mohamed Amoura who turned in the rebound for the first goal of the game.
Micho made an immediate change at the start of the second half, with with Fahad Bayo replacing Bobosi Byaruhanga.
But it is Algeria who made the more threatening restart, and should have doubled their advantage, only for Jamal to pull off a stunning reflex save.
Algeria doubled their advantage as Amoura completed his double, applying the finishing touch on a sweeping counter attack through substitute Riyadh Mahrez.
Micho made further changes, introducing Ismail Mugulusi and Travis Mutyaba for Okwi and Miya, with Algeria introducing Saidi Benrahma and Islam Slimani.
The Cranes pulled a goal back through Fahad Bayo in the 89th minute, but came late for Uganda to mount a comeback.
The Cranes are third on the standings in their group on four points, while Tanzania moved to seven points following their victory over Niger.
Uganda will wrap up their qualification campaign with an away trip to Niger in September, with Algeria hosting Tanzania in Algiers.
How both teams lined up:
Uganda Cranes XI: Salim Jamal Magoola (GK), Kenneth Ssemakula, Abdul Aziz Kayondo, Gift Fred, Halid Lwaliwa, Khalid Aucho, Bobosi Byaruhanga, Faruku Miya, Emmanuel Okwi, Milton Karisa, Rogers Kassim Mato
Algeria XI: Anthony Mandrea, Haithem Loucif, Zineddine Belaid, Ramy Bensebaini, Jaouen Hadjam, Oussama Chita, Haris Belkebla, himad Abdelli, Bedredine Bouanani, Aymen Mahious, Mohamed Amoura
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