Photo Courtesy FUFA Media.
Uganda Cranes head coach Paul Joseph Put has named a 36-man provisional squad ahead of the 2024 TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN), scheduled to take place from February 1 to 28, 2025, in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.
During a press briefing at FUFA Complex in Mengo, Kampala, on Wednesday, Put revealed the squad, which includes four goalkeepers, twelve defenders, ten midfielders, and ten forwards.
Notably, teenagers James Bogere, Brian Ijara and Isima Magala, fresh from guiding the Uganda U17 National Team to AFCON qualification, have been included in the squad. Coach Put believes this is an excellent opportunity for the youngsters to showcase their abilities on a bigger stage.
“I believe these players are capable, and I wanted to give them an opportunity to train and compete at such a level. We have seen players at that age featuring for their senior team. Therefore, this is their chance to show their abilities,” he remarked.
The team is set to begin non-residential training on Friday, January 10, running through Sunday. Residential camp will start on Monday, January 13, at Cranes Paradise Hotel, Kisasi. The coach indicated that the first three days of training would be used for assessment, after which the squad will be trimmed to 26 players.
“We shall use Friday, Saturday, and Sunday to assess the players and then have 26 players thereafter. However, those not remaining in camp will continue following our program to ensure they are always on alert,” Put explained.
In preparation for the tournament, two international friendlies are lined up on January 17 and a week later to test the team's readiness.
Full Squad:
Goalkeepers: Hannington Ssebwalunyo (NEC FC) Mutwalibi Mugolofa (KCCA FC) Joel Mutakubwa (BUL FC) Crispas Kusiima (Kitara FC).
Defenders: Gavin Kizito Mugweri (KCCA FC) Gideon Odongo (NEC FC) Moses Aliro (URA FC) Derrick Ndahiro (Vipers SC) Enock Walusimbi (URA FC) Arnold Odong (SC Villa) Rogers Torach (Vipers SC) Hillary Mukundane (Vipers SC) Walter Ochora (BUL FC) James Begisa Penza (URA FC) Nicholas Mwere (BUL FC) Paul Patrick Mbowa (Vipers SC).
Midfielders: Joel Sserunjogi (KCCA FC) Enock Ssebagala (NEC FC) Ibrahim Thembo (NEC FC) Emmanuel Wasswa (Express FC) Ronald Ssekiganda (SC Villa) Allan Okello (Vipers SC) Saidi Mayanja (KCCA FC) Brian Ijara (KCCA FC) Patrick Jonah Kakande (SC Villa) Isima Magala Mulala (Masaka Sunshine FC).
Forwards: Hakim Kiwanuka (SC Villa) Milton Karisa (Vipers SC) Denis Omedi (Kitara FC) Jude Ssemugabi (Kitara FC) Shafik Nana Kwikiriza (KCCA FC) Paul Mucureezi (NEC FC) Isaac Ogwang (Police FC) James Bogere (Masaka Sunshine FC) Sadat Happy Anaku (KCCA FC) Charles Lwanga (SC Villa)
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