Kampala, Uganda – Somalia’s hopes of making headway in the 2026 FIFA World Cup African qualifiers suffered a major setback after a 3–0 defeat to Gambia on Friday. The match, staged at the Mandela National Stadium in Kampala, Uganda—Somalia’s adopted home ground—highlighted both the promise and the shortcomings of the Ocean Stars as they continue their pursuit of a first-ever World Cup appearance.
Gambia, buoyed by experience and discipline, seized control of the encounter early on. Their opening goal came midway through the first half following sustained pressure that exposed gaps in Somalia’s backline. Despite spirited attempts to respond, the Ocean Stars struggled to maintain possession and were frequently forced into deep defensive positions.
In the second half, Gambia extended their lead with two quick goals, capitalizing on Somalia’s defensive errors and lack of composure in midfield. The Ocean Stars created a handful of chances on the counter, but poor finishing and the Gambian goalkeeper’s sharp reflexes denied them any breakthrough.
Somali midfielder Handwalla Bwana, recently recalled to the national side, showed flashes of creativity but lacked support in the final third. Head coach Rachid Lousteque expressed disappointment with the result but praised his players’ determination, noting that the team remains a work in progress as new talents are integrated.
The loss leaves Somalia at the bottom of their qualifying group with no points from their opening matches, underscoring the challenge of competing against more established African sides. Nonetheless, the Somali Football Federation has emphasized the long-term goal of building a competitive national team by exposing its players to high-level international football.
Somalia looks forward to yet another fixture in the coming week that could prove crucial in restoring confidence among players and supporters alike. For now, the Ocean Stars must regroup quickly and learn from their mistakes if they are to remain competitive in the grueling qualification campaign.