Uganda’s head coach Paul Joseph Put has announced his squad for the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier matches against South Sudan.
Uganda will host South Sudan in the first leg on October 11 at the newly renovated Nelson Mandela Stadium in Kampala. The return leg is scheduled to take place four days later in Juba.
Currently, topping Group K after a 2-2 draw against South Africa and a 2-0 home victory, the Uganda Cranes aim to continue their strong form in the upcoming qualifiers.
While naming the squad on Tuesday, Put emphasized that he has assembled a strong team to secure maximum points in the two matches. “I have left out Libyan-based striker Muhamad Shaban, who is injured,” explained Put.
The squad includes Uganda’s rising star Travis Mutyaba, who recently signed a three-year contract with French Championnat National 2 side FC Girondins de Bordeaux. Also called up is Taddeo Lwanga, a midfielder from the Rwanda Premier League who has not featured for the national team in over two y
ears, and Bobosi Byaruhanga, who plays for Austin II in the United States.
Uganda and South Sudan have faced each other six times since 2012, with the Cranes winning four matches and losing only once in November 2020 during the 2021 AFCON qualifiers.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Isima Watenga (Golden Arrows FC, South Africa), Nafian Alionzi (Defence Forces FC, Ethiopia), Charles Lukwago (Venda FC, South Africa)
Defenders: Gavin Kizito Mugweri (KCCA FC, Uganda), Kenneth Semakula (Club Africaine, Tunisia), Isaac Muleme (Victoria Zizkov, Czech Republic), Nicholas Mwere (BUL FC, Uganda), Abdu Aziizi Kayondo (FC Slovan Liberec, Czech Republic), Bevis Mugabi (Famagusta Anorthosis, Greece), Timothy Awany (FC Ashdod, Israel), Halidi Lwaliwa (Al Ain SC, Saudi Arabia), Arnold Odong (SC Villa, Uganda)
Midfielders: Khalid Aucho (Yanga SC, Tanzania), Bobosi Byaruhanga (Austin II, USA), Taddeo Lwanga (APR FC, Rwanda), Ronald Ssekiganda (SC Villa, Uganda), Allan Okello (Vipers SC, Uganda), Travis Mutyaba (Girondins Bordeaux, Fra
nce), Saidi Mayanja (KCCA FC, Uganda)
Forwards: Denis Omedi (Kitara FC, Uganda), Jude Ssemugabi (Kitara FC, Uganda), Shafik Kwikiriza (KCCA FC, Uganda), Rogers Mato (FC Brera Strumica), Derrick Nsibambi (KCCA FC, Uganda), Steven Mukwala (Simba SC, Tanzania), Calvin Kabuye (Sandvikens IF, Sweden)
Source: The Namibia News Agency