Paul Put’s Uganda Cranes will need to play on the front foot if they are to soar above an improved Somalia outfit at Berkane Municipal Stadium in Morocco on Tuesday.
Having lost the opening World Cup qualifying tie against Guinea on Friday at the same venue, wounded Cranes will want to munch Somalia which lost 3-1 to Algeria at the Stade de Nelson Mandela and has a pitiable record against Uganda.
Victory is largely expected for Uganda against Africa’s lowest-ranked team (ranked 196th by Fifa) but must be earned with goals coming in excess. MFK Vyškov and Cranes striker Fahad Bayo, who netted the consolation goal against Guinea, has pledged to lead the goal hunt as Uganda seeks three points in Group G.
Somalia starting XI: Mustaf Yuusuf, Abdirizak Mohamed, Saadiq Faisal Elmi, Ismail Isse, Isse Ibrahim, Omar Jama, Ahmed Abdullahi Abdi, Ibrahim Ilyas, Yusuf Ahmed, Sakariya Hassan, Issa Adim Abatari.
Subs: Ahmed Mayow Shariff, Ibrahim Ahmed Hussein, Abdiwali Walic, Ahmed Isse, Ayman Mohamed Hussein, Abdulkadir Sidow, Siad Haji, Mahad Mohamed Abdulkadir, Hussein Mohamed, Suleyman Abdi, Adan Anes, Farhan Mohamed Ahmed.
Uganda starting XI: Ismail Watenga, Kenneth Semakula, Bevis Mugabi, Halid Lwaliwa, Aziz Kayondo, Allan Oyirwoth, Khalid Aucho, Elvis Bwomono, Travis Mutyaba, Fahad Bayo, Rogers Mato Kassim.
Subs: Salim Jamal Magoola, Jack Komakech, Ibrahim Juma, Timothy Awany, Umar Lutalo, Richard Basangwa, Byaruhanga Bobosi, Bright Akukani, Junior Yunus Sentamu, Milton Karisa, Denis Omedi.