Uganda coach Milutin Sredojevic believes his team lost to Algeria in their 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier because of committing “extremely expensive mistakes” on Sunday.

The Cranes suffered a blow to their qualification campaign after losing 2-1 against Algeria at Japoma Stadium, Douala, Cameroon. It was striker Mohamed Amoura, who scored a brace for the Desert Foxes while the Cranes’ goal came from second-half substitute Fahad Bayo.

“As I believe that we are fully aware, as a team with young players we have no right to make such mistakes at this level, mistakes are extremely expensive. We have learnt the hardest way, we have no right to make these mistakes with time ahead of us,” Sredojevic said after the game.

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He, however, praised his charges for chances created, insisting: “They (players) had applied themselves very well. We even had a chance to score but It hit the post, we stretched for some minutes but it wasn’t meant to be.”

On whether Uganda stands a chance to qualify, the Serbian explained: “The match against Niger is a crucial game which can bring us to qualify for Afcon.”

With neighbours Tanzania defeating Niger 2-1 at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, the outcome of the Uganda fixture left them in third place with four points, Algeria remains top with 15 while Tanzania and Niger have seven and two.

Uganda’s final group game will come away to Niger on September 4 and the Cranes will need to win and hope Tanzania suffers defeat to Algeria to stand a chance of qualifying.