Coach Put confident as Uganda names squad for CHAN 2024

Uganda's national football team coach Paul Joseph Put, has announced a provisional squad of 26 players to begin preparations for the upcoming African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024.

The tournament is set to commence on February 1, and will be co-hosted by Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania.

The squad, unveiled at the FUFA headquarters in Mengo, includes:

Goalkeepers (4): Among them is Kitara FC's keeper, who has received his first national team call-up.

Defenders (12): Newcomers Nicholas Mwere and Walter Ochola from BUL FC have been called up for the first time.

Midfielders (10): First-time call-ups include Thembo Ibrahim (NEC FC), Emmanuel Wasswa (Express FC), Ronald Ssekiganda (SC Villa), and Isima Magala (Masaka Sunshine FC).

Forwards (10): James Bogere (Masaka Sunshine FC) and Sadat Anaku (KCCA FC) are among the strikers making their debut in the CHAN squad.

Notable inclusions are Denis Omedi, Paul Mucureezi, Charles Lwanga, and Patrick Kakande, who were absent during the recent CHAN qualifiers against Burundi. On the other hand, players like Karim Watambala (Vipers SC) and Karim Ivan Ahimbisibwe (URA FC) have been left out of the squad.

Coach Put expressed confidence in the team's potential, citing his observations of the players' performances in their respective club leagues and their previous outing against Burundi, where Uganda secured a 1-0 victory in both legs of the qualifier. However, he emphasized that the team had limited preparation time for those matches, which might not reflect their true capabilities.

Put refrained from setting specific expectations until the tournament draw, scheduled for mid-month in Nairobi, is conducted. Nonetheless, he affirmed that the ultimate goal is to reach the finals and win the championship. He also urged the Ugandan community and football fans to rally behind the home-based players during the tournament.

The team will commence non-residential training this Friday, lasting for three days, as they gear up for the continental showcase.

Full squad

Goalkeepers: Mutwalibu Mugolofa – KCCA FC, Joel Kutakuba – URA, Hannington Ssebwalunyo – NEC FC, Crispas Kusiima – Kitara FC

Defenders: Garvin Kizito - KCCA FC, James Begisa – URA, Moses Aliro – URA, Rogers Torach – Vipers SC, Hillary Mukundane – Vipers SC,  Arnold Odong – SC Villa, Enock Walusimbi – URA, Walter Ochola – BUL FC, Paul Patrick Mbowa – Vipers SC, Derick Ndahiro – Vipers SC, Nicholas Mwebe – BUL FC, Gideon Odongo – NEC

Midfielders: Joel Sserunjogi – KCCA FC, Ibrahim Thembo – NEC FC, Emmanuel Wasswa – Express FC, Enock Ssebagala – NEC FC, Ronald Ssekiganda – SC Villa, Brian Ijara – KCCA FC, Allan Okello – Vipers SC, Saidi Mayanja – KCCA FC, Patrick Jonah Kakande – SC Villa, Isima Magala – Masaka Sunshine FC

Forwards: Denis Omedi – Kitara FC, Hakim Kiwanuka – SC Villa, Milton Kalisa – Vipers SC, Jude Ssemugabi – Kitara FC, Paul Mucureezi – NEC FC, Shafik Nana Kwizera – KCCA FC, Isaac Ogwang – Police FC, Charles Lwanga – SC Villa, Sadat Anaku – KCCA FC, James Bogere – Masaka Sunshine FC