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Uganda Cranes training in Algeria
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Sports Desk
The Uganda Cranes will take on already-qualified Algeria in their final Group G FIFA World Cup qualifier this evening at the Stade Hocine Ait Ahmed stadium in Tizi Ouzou, Algeria.
In the last match of the campaign, the Cranes are hoping for a result that could see them finish among the best four second-placed teams from the nine groups.
Uganda Cranes forward Uche Mubiru
These top four second-placed teams will earn a chance to advance to the World Cup in the USA, Mexico, and Canada through a continental play-off in Morocco. The winner from that round will then join other continental winners for an intercontinental play-off in Mexico, where two final teams will qualify.
Therefore, Paul Put's men have no other option but to beat Algeria and secure a place among the best four second-placed teams, as the automatic qualification slot from their group is already taken by Algeria.
It remains a mathematical possibility for the Cranes, who currently sit in 6th place on the second-placed teams table after Monday's matches.
Striker Jude Ssemugabi scored the lone goal in Cranes 1-0 win against Botswana
In the overall standings, Uganda is 6th with 18 points and one game left to play. Gabon has 22 points from 9 games. Burkina Faso, Cameroon, and Madagascar have all completed their 10 games, with Burkina Faso on 21 points, and Cameroon and Madagascar on 19 each.
The Democratic Republic of Congo, which plays Sudan in its final game today, has 19 points. Uganda only needs a win to secure a place among the top four, regardless of the result between DR Congo and Sudan. A draw, however, would see Cameroon take the spot due to a superior goal difference.
Standings of the second placed teams across 9 groups before Tuesday matches
It is important to note that CAF has reformed the ranking of second-placed teams. After the group games conclude today, the points each second-placed team earned against the bottom team in their group will be deducted. This is to ensure fairness for Group E, where Eritrea withdrew; Niger, the second-placed team in that group, finished with 15 points and now has no chance of qualifying.
Torch Media Africa
