2027 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifier
- Uganda 1-1 Botswana
Group H Standings
- Uganda 5 pts
- Libya 4 pts
- Botswana 3 pts
- Tunisia 2 pts
Photo: ChampionSport Reporter
James Bogere marked his first competitive start for Uganda Cranes with a goal, but the hosts were held to a 1-1 draw by Botswana in their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at Hoima City Stadium on Saturday.
The young forward gave Uganda an eighth-minute lead after catching a Botswana defender in possession before curling the ball into the net.
Photo: ChampionSport Reporter
However, the advantage lasted only 22 minutes as Losika Ratshukudu equalised for Botswana in the 30th minute to silence the home crowd.
Bogere led Uganda’s attack alongside Kelvin Boateng and Arnold Vula, who scored the winner against Libya in the Cranes’ previous home qualifier in Hoima.
Fans enjoy the action during Uganda Cranes’ encounter with Botswana at Hoima City Stadium. Photo: ChampionSport Reporter
Coach Paul Put made several changes to his starting team, deploying a three-man defence of Rogers Torach, Toby Sibbick and Kenneth Ssemakula, with Nathan Asiimwe and Aziz Kayondo operating as wing-backs.
Bobosi Byaruhanga also returned to the starting line-up for the first time since facing Nigeria at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. He partnered Baba Alhassan in midfield.
Photo: ChampionSport Reporter
Uganda suffered a setback in the 40th minute when goalkeeper Denis Onyango was forced off through injury and replaced by Kingdom Osayi.
After the break, the Cranes pushed for another goal but struggled to create clear chances against a disciplined Botswana defence.
Put introduced Herbert Bockhorn for Asiimwe and Travis Mutyaba for Boateng in the 55th minute. Bockhorn made his national team debut.
Byaruhanga came close to restoring Uganda’s lead in the 60th minute but fired wide from the edge of the box after being set up by Bogere.
Denis Omedi and Frank Ssebufu later replaced Vula and Bogere in the 81st minute as Uganda searched for a winner, but Botswana held on to secure a point.
The draw leaves Uganda top of Group H with five points, followed by Libya on four, Botswana on three and Tunisia on two.
Uganda had 55.1 per cent possession and registered 11 shots, with two on target. Botswana managed 12 attempts, five of which tested the goalkeeper.
The Cranes will now turn their attention to Tuesday’s return fixture against Botswana in Gaborone, where they will seek to return to winning ways.
Video from the match
Source: ChampionSport Reporter
