Uganda Cranes head coach Paul Put has named a 28-man squad for the September-October international window, featuring two AFCON 2027 qualifiers against Tunisia and Libya and two international friendly matches against DR Congo.
Uganda will face Tunisia on September 24 before hosting Libya on September 29 in the AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign. The Cranes will then travel to face DR Congo in a friendly on October 2 before hosting the same side on October 5.
According to Put, he selected the squad based on the players’ current form, fitness and commitment as Uganda seeks to strengthen its position in the AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign.
The squad has three goalkeepers, ten defenders, five midfielders and ten forwards. South Africa-based Denis Onyango headlines the goalkeeping department alongside David Lukwago of SC Villa and Hannington Ssebwalunyo of NEC FC.
The defenders are Toby Sibbick of Burton Albion, Jonathan Odongo, Rogers Torach, Aiziki, Herbert, Herbert Bockhorn, Nathan Asiimwe, Geoffrey Luyanga, Hillary Mukundane and Gavin Kizito of Nairobi United. The midfield has Baba Alhassan, Noble Okello, Kenneth Semakula, Allan Oyiwoth and Joseph Seremba.
The forwards are Allan Okello, James Bogere, Travis Mutyaba, Denis Omedi, Rogers Mato, Hassan Mubiru, Sadam Masereka, Steven Mukwala, Richard Basangwa and Frank Ssebufu.
Put has left out several regular players, including captain Khalid Aucho, Salim Jamal, Uche Ikpeazu, John Paul Dembe, Bobosi Byaruhanga and Jude Ssemugabi. He says Jordan Obita and Elio Capradossi will also miss the international window because of injuries.
“Some of the other players are currently without clubs or have recently completed transfers and have not had sufficient playing time, and others have only recently returned from long-term injuries and are yet to regain full match fitness,” he said.
The coach says the door remains open for the absent players to return to the national team once they regain fitness and competitive rhythm.
FUFA Director of Communications Ahmed Hussein says the technical team is giving priority to players who are currently fit and actively competing for their clubs, as Uganda prepares for what he describes as an important international window.
“Every international window is important for the national team, but these matches are particularly significant because of the AFCON qualifiers. We believe the selected players are in the right condition to compete, and the friendly matches against DR Congo will also give the technical team an opportunity to assess the team ahead of future assignments.”
The September-October window comes at a crucial stage of Uganda’s preparations for the AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign, with the Cranes seeking positive results against Tunisia and Libya before turning their attention to the two DR Congo friendlies.
The four matches will also give Put an opportunity to assess new players and maintain competition for places in the national team ahead of future international engagements-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
