Uganda vs Mali Preview & Tips - Mali tipped for comfortable win on the road

These sides have met on two previous occasions with both matches ending in draws.

A 2-2 draw in 2016 in the CHAN tournament was followed by a 1-1 draw in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Cranes missed out on AFCON 2021 as two defeats and a draw in their final three matches proved fatal. A 1-0 defeat in South Sudan was followed by finishing bottom of their group in the CHAN tournament for domestically based players.

Uganda then drew 0-0 against Burkina Faso and lost 1-0 in Malawi to complete their failed AFCON qualification campaign. A 2-1 friendly defeat to South Africa and a 2-1 friendly loss to Ethiopia followed.

In their opening World Cup qualifier, Uganda drew 0-0 in Kenya. It was a credible result with new coach Milutin Sredojevic making an immediate impact.

Uganda are without 79 cap goalkeeper Denis Onyango who retired from international football. Chippa United’s Ismail Watenga will replace him in goal.

The squad features three foreign-based players in left-backs Isaac Muleme and Mustapha Kizza and forward Derrick Nsimambi. Captain Emmanuel Okwi will lead the line despite being without a club at the moment.

Goalkeepers: Ismail Watenga, Charles Lukwago, Simon Tamale, Nafian Alionzi

Defenders: Enock Walusimbi, Innocent Wafula, Paul Willa, Eric Ssenjobe, Aziizi Kayondo, Halid Lwaliwa, Murushid Juuko, Garvin Kizito Mugweri, Kenneth Ssemakula, Hassan Muhamood, Denis Iguma, Isaac Muleme, Mustapha Kizza

Midfielders: Nicholas Kasozi, Bobosi Byaruhang, Muzamiru Mutyaba, Shafik Kuchi Kagimu, Ali Abubaker Gift, Ibrahim Orit, Milton Karisa, Abdu Lumala, Moses Waiswa

Forwards: Richard Basangwa, Steven Dese Mukwala, Patrick Henry Kaddu, Emmanuel Arnold Okwi, Yunus Ssentamu, Jude Ssemugabi, Martin Kizza, Derrick Nsimambi

Mali topped their Africa Cup of Nations qualification group with 13 points from six matches. They played in the CHAN min-tournament reserved for Mali-based players and lost 2-0 in the final to Morocco.

A 1-0 defeat in Guinea and a 3-0 home win against Chad completed the AFCON qualifiers. Mali played three friendlies in June as they lost 1-0 to Algeria, drew 1-1 with Congo DR and lost 1-0 to Tunisia.

Their last match saw a good start to World Cup qualifiers with a 1-0 victory against Rwanda. Adama Traore of FC Sheriff Tiraspol got the only goal of the match.

Star midfielder Yves Bissouma of Brighton & Hove Albion is not in squad for this match. Al Ahly’s Aliou Dieng has been linked with European clubs and will anchor midfield.

Malmo goalkeeper Ismaël Diawara, Strasbourg defender Mahamé Siby and Lassina Sinayoko of Auxerre will be important players. Southampton’s Moussa Djenepo provides creativity down the left wing.

Goalkeepers: Djigui Diarra, Ibrahim Bozzo Mounkoro, Ismaël Diawara, Mohamed Niaré

Defenders: Hamari Traoré, Falaye Sacko, Mahamé Siby, Charles Traoré, Mamadou Fofana, Boubacar Kiki Kouyaté, Senou Coulibaly

Midfielders: Diadié Samassekou, Amadou Haidara, Kouamé Nguessan Rominique, Lassana Coulibaly, Adama Noss Traoré, Mohamed Camara, Aliou Dieng, Cheick Doucouré

Forwards: Moussa Djenepo, Moussa Doumbia, Adama Traoré, Ibrahima Kané, El Bilal Touré, Mahamadou Doucouré, Ibrahima Koné, Hamidou Sinayoko, Lassine Sinayoko