Uganda will face South Sudan in the third round of AFCON qualifiers, seeking to strengthen their lead at the top of Group K with four points from two games. In contrast, South Sudan sits at the bottom with no points and a dismal record, making this an essential match for both teams. Uganda’s recent form includes one loss across five matches, while South Sudan’s eight-match winless streak poses a significant challenge. The predicted outcome favors Uganda with a 2-0 win.
On Friday, Uganda will host South Sudan in a pivotal fixture of the third round of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, aiming to fortify their position at the top of Group K. Currently, Uganda leads the group after securing four points from their initial two matches, having drawn against South Africa and claimed a victory over Congo. Conversely, South Sudan is struggling at the bottom of the group without any points, having lost both of their opening games and sitting on an ongoing eight-match winless streak. As Uganda enters this match, they boast a commendable record, having recently drawn 2-2 against South Africa in their opening qualifying match, which helped them gain crucial away points, and followed it with a solid 2-0 victory over Congo. With one loss in their last five matches — that defeat coming against Algeria during the World Cup qualifiers — Uganda’s performance has steadily improved, positioning them favorably for qualification in the upcoming 2025 AFCON after missing the 2023 edition. However, the Cranes have faced inconsistency in their home performances during AFCON qualifiers, with only one win and two draws in their last five matches in front of their home crowd, which raises questions about their ability to maintain their lead in this match. For South Sudan, the journey in the qualifiers has been discouraging thus far, marked by narrow defeats against Congo and South Africa, with a significant need to secure points to remain competitive. They have not won any of their last eight matches, with their last victory against Kenya in a friendly in September 2023, making their chances of qualifying appear grim considering they have never qualified for an AFCON tournament. The Bright Stars, currently ranked 167th by FIFA, exhibit a dismal record against Uganda, having failed to secure a win in six encounters, and approach this match facing daunting odds. South Sudan’s goalkeeper, Majak Mawith, remains a pivotal figure for the team, despite their struggles, while their attackers, Valentino Yuel and Tito Okello, must rise to the occasion to instigate a turnaround in their fortunes. In terms of team selections, Uganda’s Aziz Kayondo is anticipated to shine again after a standout performance against Congo, while Rogers Mato Kassim will seek to further contribute to the scoring. South Sudan will miss Joseph Dhata due to injury, which dovetails with their ongoing challenges. Based on past performances and current standings, it is predicted that Uganda will prevail in this match, potentially by a scoreline of 2-0 against South Sudan, reflecting their superior form and position in the qualifiers.
The upcoming match between Uganda and South Sudan forms part of the third round of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. This match is particularly significant for Uganda as they aim to maintain their lead in Group K following a positive start with four points from their initial matches. South Sudan, on the other hand, faces an uphill battle after failing to secure any points, highlighting the contrasting fortunes of both teams. With Uganda having only one loss in their last five matches across multiple competitions, their recent form positions them as favorites against a South Sudan side that has yet to find success in the qualifiers, notably having poor historical performances against Uganda.
In conclusion, this match serves as a crucial juncture in the AFCON qualifiers for both Uganda and South Sudan. While Uganda seeks to strengthen their position at the top of Group K, South Sudan needs a victory to revive their qualification hopes. The contrasting trajectories of both nations — with Uganda enjoying stable recent performance versus South Sudan’s ongoing struggles — suggest a favorable outing for the hosts. A prediction of a 2-0 victory for Uganda seems reasonable given the prevailing circumstances and historical performances between the two teams.
Original Source: www.sportsmole.co.uk
