KAMPALA, Sept. 5 (Xinhua) -- Uganda has stepped up security measures to avert possible terror threats ahead of two Group G 2026 FIFA World Cup African qualifier matches on Friday, a police spokesperson said.

Patrick Onyango, spokesperson for the Kampala Metropolitan Police, told Xinhua that a joint security task force has been deployed to safeguard the stadium and all roads leading to the venue.

On Friday, Somalia will face Guinea in the afternoon at Mandela National Stadium in Kampala, followed by Uganda's clash against Mozambique in the evening.

Uganda and Somalia continue to grapple with terror threats and attacks from the Somali militant group al-Shabab.

"We have made joint [security] deployments along the routes and in the venue. Our biggest fear is the terror threat," Onyango said.

"We have put in place access control measures. People entering the stadium will be thoroughly searched by our counterterrorism police to avoid any mistake inside," he added.

The Somalia Football Federation chose to host its Group G fixture in Kampala as the country lacks a FIFA- or CAF-approved stadium in its capital Mogadishu.

Somalia currently sits bottom of Group G with one point from six matches, while Guinea is fifth with seven points. Uganda, which has never qualified for a senior men's FIFA World Cup, is fourth with nine points.

Algeria leads the group with 18 points from six wins and one loss, having played one extra game. Mozambique follows in second place with 12 points from four wins and two losses.

Africa has been allocated nine direct slots and one inter-confederation play-off slot for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. ■