World Cup (Q) / Algeria 2 - Uganda 1: Les Verts finish on a sour note! | OneFootball

World Cup (Q) / Algeria 2 - Uganda 1: Les Verts snatch victory!

World Cup (Q) / Algeria 2 - Uganda 1: Les Verts finish on a sour note!

Already qualified for the 2026 World Cup, Algeria’s national team wrapped up their qualifying campaign with a hard-fought but precious win over Uganda (2-1) in Tizi-Ouzou. Caught off guard in the 6th minute after a refereeing error allowed Mukwala to open the scoring, the Fennecs struggled for a long time to find attacking solutions. Despite dominating possession, Algeria’s control initially proved fruitless, frustrating the crowd that had come out to celebrate World Cup qualification. But instead of panicking, Vladimir Petkovic’s men showed character and patience to overturn a tricky situation.

The momentum shifted after the hour mark, especially following the introduction of Anis Hadj Moussa, who injected energy down the right flank. Playing with more aggression and sharpness, Algeria gradually suffocated a struggling Ugandan side. The equalizer finally came from the penalty spot, calmly converted by Mohamed Amoura, living up to his reputation as a prolific scorer. The Wolfsburg striker held his nerve and brought his team level, matching Mohamed Salah at the top of the scoring charts.

Amoura the savior, Algeria warned ahead of what's next

Buoyed by that momentum, Les Verts kept pressing and eventually forced a second decisive mistake. A reckless challenge by the Ugandan goalkeeper on Amine Gouiri, who was injured in the process, handed Algeria another penalty. Once again, Amoura stepped up and delivered, netting his 10th goal of the qualifiers to become Africa’s top scorer. This brace allowed the Fennecs to finish their campaign on a high note, confirming their mental strength and ability to respond under pressure.

But this victory must also serve as a warning. If Algeria want to go far at the next Africa Cup of Nations, they’ll need to show much more consistency and efficiency. The last two editions, which ended at the group stage, are a reminder that the margin for error is razor thin on the African continent. Even with a quality squad, no team is immune to surprises. This mentally-driven win should be seen as a foundation to build on, not an end in itself, with just months to go before a highly anticipated CAN 2025.