Paul Put adds more foreign-based players to Cranes squad

2025 AFCON Qualifiers

September 6

South Africa v Uganda – Orlando stadium

September 9

Uganda v Congo – Namboole Stadium 

Coach Paul Put has summoned a 28-man squad ahead of the 2025 AFCON Qualifiers double header against South Africa and Congo next month.

Former Sweden U23 forward Calvin Kabuye is a new entrant to the senior team just like Saidi Mayanja and Jude Ssemugabi.

Goalkeeper Charles Lukwago who missed the doubleheader against Algeria and Botswana returns to the national setup while defenders Halid Lwaliwa and Kenneth Ssemakula won’t be available for the first game against South Africa due to visa issues, but the duo will be available for the Congo encounter.

The local-based players and a few foreign players in the country will travel to Johannesburg this Saturday ahead of the September 6 encounter with South Africa at Orlando Stadium. The rest of the foreign players will join the team in South Africa.

Shortly after the tie against Bafana Bafana, the Cranes will return home on September 7 and host Congo Brazzaville on September 9th at Namboole.

While unveiling the squad, Cranes coach Paul Put who was alongside FUFA Communications Director promised to have the team perform to their best.

“We call upon the fans to support us, especially against Congo. We want to make sure we live up to the task in these Qualifiers. The summoned players have to give him a lot,” noted Put.

Put also pointed out that some players have been sidelined due to injuries including Allan Kyambadde, Moses Opondo, Uche Mubiru Ikpeazu, and Isaac Ssewankambo.

Uganda is looking beyond qualifying for AFCON finals after they were handed a kind group during the 2025 AFCON Qualifiers. They placed in Group K alongside South Africa, Congo Brazzaville, and neighbors South Sudan.

The top two teams from each of the 12 qualifying groups will win a slot in the finals to be staged by Morocco. A total of 24 teams will qualify to play in the final tournament, including automatically qualified hosts Morocco between December 21 2025, and January 18 2026.

Goalkeepers – Isma Watenga (Golden Arrows), Nafian Alionzi (Defence Forces), Charles Lukwago (Venda)

Defenders – Elvis Bwomono (St Mirren), James Begisa (URA), Isaac Muleme (Victoria Zizkov), Joseph Ochaya (Al Mokawlon), Aziz Kayondo (Slovan Liberec), Bevis Mugabi (Famagusta), Halid Lwaliwa (Al Ain), Arnold Odongo (SC Villa), Timothy Awany (FC Ashdod), Kenneth Ssemakula (Clun Africain)

Midfielders – Khalid Aucho (Yanga), Bobosi Byaruhanga (Austin II), Joel Sserunjogi (KCCA), Ronald Ssekiganda (SC Villa), Travis Mutyaba (Zamalek), Said Mayanja (KCCA)

Forwards – Denis Omedi (Kitara), Jude Ssemugabi (Kitara), Joachim Ojera (Al Mokawlon), Rogers Mato (Braga Strumica), Steven Mukwala (Simba), Shaban Muhammad (Al Hilal), Calvin Kabuye (Sandvikens), Allan Okello (Vipers)