Niger will be looking to snap their run of five consecutive defeats when they take on Uganda at the Stade de Marrakech in Group F of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers on Thursday.
While the Mena will be playing for pride, Milutin Sredojevic's men need all three points to stand a chance of reaching Ivory Coast as they sit three points behind second-placed Tanzania.
Match preview
Niger's quest for a first Africa Cup of Nations appearance in over a decade has come to naught once again as they find themselves rooted to the bottom of Group F heading into the final round of group-stage matches.
The Mena kicked off their qualifying campaign on a solid note as they played out a 1-1 draw against Tanzania in June 2022, four days before holding out for a 1-1 draw against Uganda at the St. Mary's Stadium-Kitende.
However, Jean Michel Cavalli's men failed to keep the juggernaut rolling as they suffered successive home and away defeats to Algeria in March before losing 1-0 against Tanzania at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium on June 18.
Niger have now lost each of their last five matches across all competitions, including a 1-0 loss to Madagascar in the 2023 African Nations Championship third-place playoff back in January.
Uganda, on the other hand, suffered a huge blow in their quest for a first AFCON appearance since 2019 as they fell to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Algeria when the sides met on June 18.
In a one-affair affair at the Japoma Stadium, Union Saint-Gilloise forward Mohamed El Amine Amoura scored in either half to put the Greens in a commanding lead before Fahad Bayo pulled one back from close range in the 88th minute.
Prior to that, the Cranes picked up their first win of the qualifiers as they beat Tanzania 1-0 in Dar es Salaam courtesy of a 91st-minute strike from Sanlıurfaspor midfielder Rogers Mato Kassim.
Following June's defeat against Algeria, Uganda have now lost four of their last five matches across all competitions, a run which saw them crash out of the African Nations Championship in the group stages back in January.
With four points from a possible 15, Sredojevic's side are currently third in Group F, two points above Niger and three above second-placed Tanzania, who have a slightly superior goal difference.
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Team News
Niger have called up an experienced squad for Thursday's showdown, including the likes of Mahamadou Djibo, Ousmane Diabate and Al-Shorta midfielder Boubacar Abdoul Magid.
While the Mena have failed to find the back of the net in their last two games, 24-year-old Daniel Sosah should retain his role at the attacking end of the pitch, alongside strike partner Amadou Sabo.
Meanwhile, Uganda have named a 23-man squad, including the likes of goalkeeper Salim Omar Magoola, SC Villa defender Kenneth Semakula and 21-year-old midfielder Bobosi Byaruhanga.
However, the Cranes will have to cope without the services of skipper and experienced striker Emmanuel Okwi, who has been left out after recently picking up an injury.
Mato Rogers, Richard Basangwa, Bayo Fahad and Frank Ssebuufu will be tasked with leading the attack in the absence of Okwi, who is currently the nation's all-time leading scorer with 28 goals in 93 matches.
Uganda Revenue Authority Football Club midfielder Laban Tibita has also been handed his first call-up to the Cranes' senior squad and will be hoping to make his debut.
Niger possible starting lineup:
Djibo; Diori, Katkore, Diabete, Doudou, Yakubu; Mohamed, Majid, Oumarou; Sosah, Sabo
Uganda possible starting lineup:
Salim; Semakula, Lwaliwa, Bwomono, Kayondo; Aucho, Bobosi, Karisa, Lwanga; Mato, Miya
We say: Niger 1-2 Uganda
Uganda head into Thursday's game needing all three points against Niger and favourable results in the other group fixture to stand a chance of securing a first AFCON appearance since 2019. With the Mena playing only for pride, we fancy Uganda snatching a narrow win in this one.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Joshua Ojele
