AFCON 2025 Qualifiers: Coach Paul Put calls 27 Ugandan players for South Sudan clash
Uganda Cranes head coach, Paul Put, on Tuesday, named a 27-man squad for their double-header against South Sudan in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers.
The 68-year-old Belgian has called on ten players home-based players from the Uganda Premier League including forwards Shafik Kwikiriza and Denis Omedi as well as defender Gavin Kizito Mugweri and midfielder Ronald Ssekiganda.
Put also invited South Africa-based goalkeeper Isima Watenga, Czech-based defender Abdu Aziizi Kayondo and midfielder Bobosi Byaruhanga, who plays in the United States.
Coach Paul Put names squad for South Sudan double header.
Bring them on 💪#UGASSD #AFCONQ2025 #UgCranesWeGo pic.twitter.com/8Y3XOsPdQP— Uganda Cranes (@UgandaCranes) October 1, 2024
Uganda Cranes will face South Sudan’s Bright Stars in a double-header this month with the first leg scheduled for October 11 at Mandela National Stadium, with the return leg slated to hold in the 10,000 capacity Juba National Stadium in South Sudan on October 15.
According to the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA), the Ugandan team and staff will camp at Cranes Paradise Hotel on October 6, 2024.
The Cranes have four points from their opening two matches having played out a 2-2 draw against South Africa and a 2-0 win at home against Congo.
FULL 27-MAN SQUAD LIST FOR UGANDA CRANES
Goalkeepers: Isima Watenga (Golden Arrows FC, South Africa), Nafian Alionzi (Defence Forces FC, Ethiopia), Charles Lukwago, Venda FC, South Africa)
Defenders: Gavin Kizito Mugweri (KCCA FC, Uganda), Kenneth Semakula (Club Africaine, Tunisia), Isaac Muleme (Victoria Zizkov, Czech Republic), Nicholas Mwere (BUL FC, Uganda), Abdu Aziizi Kayondo (FC Slovan Liberec, Czech Republic), Bevis Mugabi (Famagusta Anorthosis, Greece), Timothy Awany (FC Ashdod, Israel), Halidi Lwaliwa (Al Ain SC, Saudi Arabia), Arnold Odong (SC Villa, Uganda)
Midfielders: Khalid Aucho (Yanga SC, Tanzania), Bobosi Byaruhanga (Austin II, USA), Taddeo Lwanga (APR FC, Rwanda), Ronald Ssekiganda (SC Villa, Uganda), Allan Okello (Vipers SC, Uganda), Travis Mutyaba (Girondins Bordeaux, France), Saidi Mayanja (KCCA FC, Uganda)
Forwards: Denis Omedi (Kitara FC, Uganda), Jude Ssemugabi (Kitara FC, Uganda), Shafik Kwikiriza (KCCA FC, Uganda), Rogers Mato (FC Brera Strumica), Derrick Nsibambi (KCCA FC, Uganda), Steven Mukwala (Simba SC, Tanzania), Calvin Kabuye (Sandvikens IF, Sweden)
