Uganda Cranes 28-Man Squad for AFCON 2027 Qualifiers
Paul Put has laid his cards on the table.
The Uganda Cranes head coach has named a 28-man squad for a demanding September-October international window that could shape the early tone of their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying campaign.
Uganda travel to face Tunisia away on September 24, then return home to host Libya on September 29 in back-to-back AFCON 2027 qualifiers. Once that dust settles, the Cranes will lock horns with DR Congo in two international friendlies on October 2 and 5.
Four games. Sixteen days. Little room for passengers.
Onyango returns to anchor experienced core
Between the posts, Denis Onyango is back in the national frame. The veteran Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper headlines a trio that also includes David Lukwago of SC Villa and NEC FC’s Hannington Ssebwalunyo.
Onyango’s presence instantly stiffens the spine. Around him, Put has gone for a mix of overseas-based defenders and local standouts.
- Toby Sibbick (Burton Albion)
- Jonathan Odongo (UPPC)
- Rogers Torach (CS Constantine)
- Aziz Kayondo (Slovan Liberec)
- Herbert Achayi (KCCA FC)
- Herbert Bockhorn (FC Magdeburg)
- Nathan Asiimwe (Salford City)
- Geofrey Lubanga Kene (SC Villa)
- Hillary Mukundane (Vipers SC)
- Gavin Kizito (Nairobi United)
Plenty of versatility there. Plenty of competition too.
Midfield balance and a busy forward line
In midfield, Put has gone compact but purposeful. Baba Alhassan (Mardin 1996 Spor), Noble Okello (Lexington SC), Kenneth Semakula (Al Ittihad Alexandria), Allan Oyirwoth (Dunfermline FC) and Joseph Seremba (Nairobi United) will carry the creative and defensive burden in the middle of the park.
Up front, the list is longer and more aggressive.
- James Bogere (AGF)
- Travis Mutyaba (CS Sfaxien)
- Denis Omedi (Gor Mahia)
- Rogers Mato (Hearts)
- Hassan Mubiru (Azam)
- Sadam Masereka (Colorado Springs Switchbacks)
- Steven Mukwala (Al Nasr)
- Richard Basangwa (NEC FC)
- Frank Ssebufu (SC Villa)
One more forward has been called from Moroccan side AS FAR, though the player was listed only by club in the FUFA announcement.
Put has clearly stacked his front line. Four games in quick succession will test that depth.
Put backs form and fitness, explains big omissions
The Belgian coach made it clear he is satisfied with the form, fitness and commitment of those selected, calling this a competitive international window and picking players he believes can handle it.
Big names miss out, though.
- Jordan Obita and Elio Capradossi are unavailable through injury.
- Captain Khalid Aucho, goalkeeper Salim Jamal, Uche Ikpeazu, John Paul Dembe, Bobosi Byaruhanga and Jude Ssemugabi are also absent from the squad.
Put did not dodge the issue. Some of those left out are currently without clubs. Others have only just completed transfers and lack sufficient playing time. A few are returning from long-term injuries and have not yet hit full match fitness.
The message was firm but not final. The door, he stressed, remains open for all of them once they regain fitness and rhythm.
A tight window, a clear test
The international window runs from September 21 to October 6. Within that period, Uganda will play Tunisia, Libya and DR Congo twice.
Four matches. One squad. And an early glimpse of what Put’s Uganda Cranes might become on the road to AFCON 2027.
