Eight SUPL players make Cranes squad

Uganda Cranes coach Paul Put on Tuesday named a squad of 28 players to face South Africa and Congo in the 2025 Afcon qualifiers in September.

Eight of the 28 ply their trade domestically in the StarTimes Uganda Premier League.

They include defenders James Begisa of URA and SC Villa’s Arnold Odongo. KCCA duo of Joel Sserunjogi and Saidi Mayanja, and Villa’s Ronald Ssekiganda complete the midfield.

SUPL forwards on the team include Kitara hitmen Denis Omedi and Jude Ssemugabi and Vipers starboy Allan Okello. 

Also among the 28 is a 21-year-old striker, Calvin Kabuye, who was born in Sweden to Ugandan parents. 

The rest are largely familiar faces, most of whom played in Uganda’s recent World Cup qualifier against Botswana.

The Team will travel to South Africa on 31st August to prepare for the first game against Bafana Bafana due on 6th September at Orlando Stadium.

The game against Congo will be played on 9th September 2024 at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole.

Coach Paul Put revealed that defenders Kenneth Semakula and Halidi Lwaliwa would not be available for the game against South Africa due to visa issues.

He, however, confirmed the duo would be available for the home game against Congo.

The coach further revealed that some players have been sidelined due to injuries. 

They include Allan Kyambadde, Moses Opondo, Uche Mubiru Ikpeazu and Isaac Ssewankambo.

Uganda Cranes are in Group K alongside South Africa, Congo and South Sudan.

In other news, FUFA Communications Director Ahmed Hussein confirmed that tickets for the home games against Congo, South Sudan and South Africa will go on sale Wednesday, 28th August 2024.

Uganda Cranes Squad

Goalkeepers: Isima Watenga (Golden Arrows FC, South Africa), Nafian Alionzi (Defence Forces FC, Ethiopia), Charles Lukwago (Venda FC, South Africa)

Defenders: Elvis Bwomono (St. Mirren FC, Scotland), James Begisa (URA FC, Uganda), Isaac Muleme (Viktoria Zizkov, Czech Republic), Abdu Aziizi Kayondo (FC Sloven Liberec, Czech Republic), Joseph Ochaya (Al Mokawloon Al Arab SC, Egypt), Bevis Mugabi (Famagusta Anorthosis, Greece), Elio Capradossi (Unattached), Halid Lwaliwa (Al Ain, Saudi Arabia), Arnold Odongo (SC Villa, Uganda), Timothy Awany (FC Ashdod, Israel), Kenneth Semakula (Club Africaine, Tunisia)

Midfielders: Khalid Aucho (Yanga Africans, Tanzania), Bobosi Byaruhanga (Austin II FC, USA), Joel Sserunjogi (KCCA FC, Uganda), Ronald Ssekiganda (SC Villa, Uganda), Travis Mutyaba (Zamalek SC, Egypt), Saidi Mayanja (KCCA FC, Uganda)

Forwards: Denis Omedi (Kitara FC, Uganda), Jude Ssemugabi (Kitara FC, Uganda), Joackiam Ojera (Al Mokawloon Al Arab Sc, Uganda), Muhammad Shaban (Al Hilal Benghazi, Libya), Steven Mukwala (Simba SC, Tanzania), Calvin Kabuye (Sandvikens IF, Sweden), Allan Okello (Vipers SC, Uganda), Rogers Mato (FC Brera Strumica, North Macedonia)