Photo Credit: FUFA Media
Sweden-based BK Häcken forward John Paul Dembe joined the Uganda Cranes camp for the first time this week, fulfilling his dream of representing the senior national team.
The promising forward received his maiden call-up after a stellar performance at the AFCON U20 Zonal Qualifiers in Tanzania last month, where he finished as the tournament's top scorer with six goals for the Uganda Hippos. Dembe’s outstanding play and goal-scoring instinct captured the attention of Cranes head coach Paul Put, leading to his first-ever senior team summon.
After his arrival in camp on Tuesday, Dembe joined a full roster of 26 players at the Cranes Paradise Hotel in Kisaasi. He was the last of the foreign-based players to report, following teammates Kenneth Semakula, Halid Lwaliwa, Rogers Mato, Bevis Mugabi, and Calvin Hope Kabuye who joined earlier that day.
Following his exploits with the Uganda under-20 side, John Paul Dembe is now with the senior team for their AFCON qualifying matches this week.
Photo Credit: FUFA Media
Dembe’s addition marked the completion of Uganda’s squad as they began preparations for crucial AFCON 2025 qualifiers against South Africa and Congo. He expressed his excitement and gratitude for the opportunity to play on the senior team.
"I am happy for the summon to the senior team, and I promise to give my best if given the chance so that we qualify for AFCON. The experience hasn’t been bad so far, it’s the same system we are playing as it was with the Hippos (U20) which has helped me easily adapt."
Despite being one of the youngest and least experienced members of the squad, Dembe’s eagerness to learn and his commitment to the Cranes’ success have already made a positive impression. He hopes to make an immediate impact if given the chance to play, bringing his finishing skills and tactical awareness at Häcken to Uganda’s AFCON qualification campaign.
The Uganda Cranes are on the brink of qualifying for the AFCON 2025 tournament in Morocco, currently sitting at the top of Group K with 10 points. They only need one point from their upcoming matches against South Africa and Congo to secure a spot in the tournament.
Their first fixture will be at home against South Africa on Friday, November 15, 2024 at the Mandela National Stadium, Namboole.
The match will kick off at 4 PM EAT, following a dramatic 2-2 draw in the first leg in Johannesburg. Four days later, the Cranes will travel to face Congo in their final group-stage encounter.
The squad will continue their rigorous preparation with another training session today morning and evening at Namboole.
Coach Put, who assembled a 27-man roster has high expectations for the young players like Dembe. His summon is seen as a strategic inclusion aimed at building a youthful, vibrant and technically adept squad that can adapt to the demands of international competition. For Dembe, the call-up is both a personal milestone and a responsibility to represent Uganda with pride.
If given playing time, Dembe aims to channel the confidence and skill that propelled him in Tanzania, helping secure Uganda's return to Africa’s biggest footballing stage after missing out on the last two editions of the tournament.
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