Mato also goes into Sunday’s game with confidence, having led the hunt for goals at KCCA all season.
Uganda Cranes forward Rogers Mato has revealed his desire to find the back of the net more often for his country.
The player whose goal against Tanzania kept Uganda on course in the Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers is confident he can grow his tally if given more opportunities.
“Of course, every striker there, every footballer there who will be on the starting 11 or the 18 will want to score a goal for his nation,” Mato said in an interview with the Cranes media team ahead of Sunday’s match with Algeria.
11:46 - 15.06.2023
AFCON 2023 No better chance to mature from boys to men than against Algeria, Micho urges Uganda Cranes' youngsters
Uganda Cranes must win their AFCON Qualifier against Algeria to stand a chance over Tanzania and Niger.
“This is the game we are yearning to win because it is a game that will give us much joy to take us to the Africa Cup of Nations,” he added.
With the Cranes on the brink of elimination, Mato came off the bench to score against Tanzania in Dar es Salam and give Milutin Sredojevic’s charges hope of qualifying.
The Cranes are now third on the log but level on four points with second-placed Tanzania and two ahead of bottom-side Niger.
10:49 - 15.06.2023
FOOTBALL Loss to Congo emphasized Uganda’s attacking glitches
Basangwa set up Karisa for the miss of the day while Mutyaba had the Congolese backline worried for a moment.
Victory over Algeria in a home game set to be played in Cameroon due to the lack of an up-to-standard stadium would leave the Cranes knocking on the AFCON door.
“Every footballer there who will be on the 11 will want to score.
“As me, I want to score more goals as I can to see that my nation is proud and to see that I give the fans out there the joy they deserve.”
07:01 - 15.06.2023
AFCON 2023 Huge blow for Uganda Cranes as duo ruled out of Algeria clash
Gavin Kizito and Joseph Ochaya picked up knocks and failed to recover in time for the crucial 2023 AFCON qualifier against Algeria that could decide Uganda’s fate.
Mato started in Uganda’s 1-0 loss to DR Congo on Wednesday, and whether Micho will trust him from the onset on Sunday remains to be seen.
The KCCA forward and Milton Karisa are the only players to have scored for Uganda in this qualifying campaign.
Goals have been hard to come by for the Cranes, and the floodgates will have to open in the last two games of the qualifiers to give Uganda a chance to return to the continental showpiece.
17:13 - 15.06.2023
FOOTBALL What footballers should learn from Kato Lubwama, Willy Kyambadde’s deaths – Mbabazi
Mbabazi urges former footballers to learn from Willy Kyambadde's and Kato Lubwama's experiences. He emphasizes the importance of unity to address the challenges faced by former players and ensure a better quality of life for them.
Mato also goes into Sunday’s game with confidence, having led the hunt for goals at KCCA all season.
He scored 11 goals and was only two shy of the golden boot won by Express FC’s Allan Kayiwa.