Uganda has named a 27-player squad for their crucial upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, where they will face South Africa and Congo Brazzaville. Head coach Paul Put has included a mix of experienced players and newcomers as the Cranes aim to secure a spot in the 2025 AFCON tournament in Morocco.
Currently sitting atop Group K, Uganda only needs a draw against South Africa on November 15 in Kampala to guarantee their qualification.
Among the new faces in the squad is teenager John Paul Dembe, who has been impressing in Sweden’s Hacken team. Dembe, who was the top scorer in the zonal Under-20 African Championship qualifiers, is set to make his senior debut for Uganda. Also, the squad features Mutwalibi Mugolofa, a fourth goalkeeper, joining the usual suspects including Isima Watenga, Uganda’s first-choice keeper who plays for Lamontville Golden Arrows in South Africa.
Other notable players in the squad include South Africa-based goalkeeper Charles Lukwago and veteran midfielder Khalid Aucho, who plays for Young Africans in Tanzania. Uganda will be hoping for a strong performance, with the match against South Africa followed by a final clash against Congo on November 19.
Uganda name squad
Uganda have picked a settled 27-man squad for their last Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers next week but added two uncapped players for the matches against South Africa and Congo.
The Cranes are at the top of group K and need only draw next Thursday’s home match against South Africa in Kampala to book a place at next year’s finals in Morocco.
They conclude their campaign against Congo in Brazzaville on 19 November.
Coach Paul Put has included teenager John Paul Dembe, who plays at Hacken in Sweden and picked a fourth goalkeeper in Mutwalibi Mugolofa.
Dembe finished as the top scorer with six goals in the recent zonal under-20 African Championship qualifiers.
Uganda’s first-choice goalkeeper is Isima Watenga, despite the fact he has not played for Lamontville Golden Arrows this season where Namibia international Edward Maova has featured in all the matches.
Uganda continue to spurn the Richards Bay goalkeeper Salim Magoola after he led a strike last year in search for better pay for the national team.
Watenga is one of two South African-based payers in the squad along with Venda FC goalkeeper Charles Lukwago. The former Baroka midfielder Khaild Aucho, who now plays in Tanzania, is also in the squad.
SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Nafian Alionzi (Defence Forces, Ethiopia), Charles Lukwago (Venda FC, South Africa), Mutwalibu Mugolofa (Kampala Capital City Authority), Isima Watenga (Lamontville Golden Arrows, South Africa),
Defenders: Timothy Awany (Ashdod, Israel), Aziz Abdu Kayondo (Slovan Liberec, Czech Republic), Gavin Kizito (Kampala Capital City Authority), Halidi Lwaliwa (Al Ain, Saudi Arabia), Bevis Mugabi (Famagusta Anorthosis, Cyprus), Isaac Muleme (Viktoria Zizkov, Czech Republic), Kenneth Semakula (Club Africain, Tunisia), Geoffrey Wasswa (Ethiopia Bunna, Ethiopia)
Midfielders: Khalid Aucho (Young Africans, Tanzania), Bobosi Byaruhanga (Austin FC, USA), Taddeo Lwanga (APR FC, Rwanda), Saidi Mayanja (Kampala Capital City Authority), Travis Mutyaba (Girondins Bordeaux, France), Allan Okello (Vipers), Ronald Ssekiganda (SC Villa)
Forwards: John Paul Dembe (Hacken, Sweden), Calvin Kabuye (Sandviken, Sweden), Hakim Kiwanuka (SC Villa), Shafik Nana Kwikiriza (Kampala Capital City Authority), Rogers Mato (Akademija Pandev, North Macedonia), Steven Mukwala (Simba, Tanzania), Derrick Nsibambi (Kampala Capital City Authority), Denis Omedi, Jude Ssemugabi (both Kitara)
Source: Supersport
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