Preview: Somalia vs. Uganda - prediction, team news, lineups

The Ocean Stars commenced their campaign with a loss against African giants Algeria last time out, whilst Uganda were narrowly defeated by Guinea.

Match preview

With CAF introducing a new format of progression into the 2026 World Cup, Somalia will have nine further opportunities to add to their solitary victory in their woeful qualification history after losing 3-1 at Stade de Nelson Mandela against Algeria on Thursday evening - a result which was largely expected.

The Ocean Stars got off to an awful start against Djamel Belmadi's men as midfielder Ahmed Abdullahi Abdi scored an own goal in the second minute, and although Issa Abatari managed to get onto the scoresheet for the visitors, strikes from Baghdad Bounedjah and former Newcastle United man Islam Slimani denied Somalia an unlikely result.

Placed 196th in the FIFA World Rankings, Somalia are the lowest-ranked outfit in their continent and will not be targeting a place at the World Cup as a realistic goal, however 10 competitive matches against the likes of Algeria will help Rachid Losteque's side develop enormously.

Omar Mohamed netted the Ocean Stars' only goal as they beat fellow minnows Burundi in the CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup back in December 2019, with Somalia failing to taste success in a competitive fixture since despite eight bites at the cherry.

A number of players in the lower reaches of the English football pyramid have turned out for Somalia in recent times, including 22-year-old Sak Hassan, who currently plays for seventh-tier outfit Hashtag United in third step of non-league football.

Uganda kicked off their Group G campaign with a trip to Stade Municipal de Berkane in Morocco on Friday afternoon to face Guinea, however the visitors were unable to earn any points for their efforts after a last-minute winner for the West African outfit in Berkane.

Fahad Bayo netted Uganda's first goal on the potential road to North America in the 30th minute to restore parity in the contest following Aguibou Camara's opener, however a 94th-minute strike from Seydouba Cisse ensured that the National Elephants stole all of the points.

After a decent spell in the 1970s which saw Uganda finish as runners-up at the 1978 Africa Cup of Nations in Ghana, Tuesday's visitors have struggled for decades to make an impact outside of the CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup - a competition that they have won six times since 2011.

Followers of the Scottish Premiership will be aware of the talents of centre-back Bevis Mugabi, with the Motherwell defender featuring for Southampton and Yeovil Town in England before making the switch to Fir Park in August 2019, since making 102 appearances for Stuart Kettlewell's side.

Somalia World Cup Qualifying - Africa form:

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Uganda World Cup Qualifying - Africa form:

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Uganda form (all competitions):

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Team News

In a squad containing very little top-flight experience, the decision of 22-year-old Abdi Salim to feature for Somalia has been a massive boost, with the Orlando City defender starting in a full-back role last time out.

The Ocean Stars could make a couple of changes to the XI who lost in round one of qualifying, meaning the likes of Abdulkadir Sidow and Farhan Ahmed may be promoted from the bench.

As for Uganda, Milton Karisa was forced off during the half-time break last time out against Guinea, and the 28-year-old could be replaced for Yunus Sentamu in the visitors' attack.

Anukani Bright is one of many players in the Cranes squad who plies their trade in the Ugandan Premier League, and the 23-year-old will be pushing for his ninth international appearance on Tuesday.

Somalia possible starting lineup:

Yuusuf; A Mohamed, Elmi, Ismail, Salim; Jama, Abdi, Ilyas, Ahmed; Mohamed, Abatari

Uganda possible starting lineup:

Salim; Semakula, Mugabi, Byaruhanga, Abdul; Aucho, Sentamu, Lwaliwa, Mutyaba; Bayo, Mato

We say: Somalia 1-2 Uganda

Somalia did extremely well to score against Algeria last time out, and we believe that the Ocean Stars will be able to give Uganda a tough test on Tuesday night.

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