Eight UPL stars make final Cranes AFCON squad

StarTimes Uganda Premier League clubs will be well represented at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after coach Paul Put named eight UPL players, plus teenage prospect James Bogere from the lower tiers, in his final Cranes squad that depart for Morocco on Sunday.

KCCA and Vipers SC lead the domestic legion with goalkeeper Charles Lukwago and forwards Ivan Ahimbisibwe and Shafik Kwikiriza, as well as defenders Rogers Torach, Hilary Mukundane and playmaker Allan Okello representing respectively.

SC Villa see full-back David Owori and forward Reagan Mpande included. 

The presence of nine locally based players is a strong endorsement of domestic competitive output, especially within a squad dominated by foreign-based professionals.

The Cranes leave Entebbe aboard Qatar Airways at 5.30pm on Sunday for an 11-day camp in Casablanca that will include two friendly matches before they move to Rabat, their base for Group C.

Uganda will face Tunisia and Tanzania in Rabat before travelling to Fes to play Nigeria.

Put’s final list balances UPL performers with seasoned internationals including Denis Onyango, Kenneth Semakula, Khalid Aucho, Bobosi Byaruhanga and Steven Mukwala.

Newer diaspora figures such as Uche Mubiru Ikpeazu, Melvyn Lorenzen and Alhassan Baba also feature.

Europe based defenders Toby Sibbick, Elio Capradossi and Jordan Obita form the backbone going forward.