Uganda Cranes suffered a 2-1 defeat against Guinea in their opening fixture of the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers at the Berkerne Municipal Stadium, Morocco on Friday.

Goals from Adhibou Camara and Seydouba Cisse handed the West African nation the win, while Fahad Bayo scored for the Cranes. This was the first match for newly appointed coach Paul Put, meaning he started off his reign with the Cranes with defeat.

Camara opened the scores in the 10th minute with his low drive going past goalkeeper Salim Omar Magoola. However, the East African nation levelled matters through Bayo who capitalised on a free ball in the box at the half-hour mark.

Uganda won a free kick on the left wing and Bobosi Byaruhanga took it. His delivery was brushed off Halidi Lwaliwa’s head and found Bayo unmarked inside the box. With four minutes added on, Guinea got the winner in the last minute off a free kick by Seydouba Cisse that went straight into the back of the net.

Uganda, who are in Group G alongside Algeria, Somalia, Guinea, Botswana, and Mozambique, will return to action on Tuesday against Somalia, who lost 3-1 to Algeria.