The Uganda Cranes started their preparations for the African Nations Championship (CHAN) at Luzira Prison Grounds on Friday but early concerns over squad depth in attack have cast a shadow on the campaign.
Head coach Paul Put, who unveiled a 36-man provisional squad on Wednesday, is already contending with five key absentees just two days into training. Strikers Denis Omedi and Hakim Kiwanuka were ruled out after sealing transfers to APR FC, while injuries have sidelined KCCA FC duo Shafik Nana Kwikiriza and Sadat Anaku from training as well as Milton Karisa.
After Friday’s training session, Put expressed concerns over the team’s attacking options:
“We received news that Omedi and Hakim have left. Karisa, Shafik, and Sadat are also out injured, leaving us with five strikers unavailable,” Put said. “We need to brainstorm and figure out solutions, including identifying return dates for key players.”
To address the shortfall, URA FC striker Ivan Ahimbisibwe was added to the camp on Friday evening following the earlier inclusion of KCCA FC’s Usama Arafat on Thursday.
Preparations continue today with a single non-residential training session scheduled at 10:00 a.m. at the MTN Omondi Stadium.
The CHAN tournament, co-hosted by Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania, is slated to run from February 1 to February 28, 2025.
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