Paul Put Names New-Look Uganda Cranes Squad for AFCON Qualifiers

As Uganda gears up to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, head coach Paul Put has announced a 28-player squad for the initial phase of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers, indicating a significant squad refresh.

The squad selection marks a departure from the team that participated in the previous AFCON edition. Most notably, long-serving captain Khalid Aucho has been left out, alongside defenders Jordan Obita and Elio Capradossi. Obita’s absence is due to an injury sustained at his club.

Capradossi’s omission follows reports of a disagreement with FUFA during the last AFCON tournament. Meanwhile, veteran goalkeeper Denis Onyango returns to the squad for the qualifying matches against Tunisia later this month.

Coach Put has also called up emerging talents such as Sadam Masereka and Noble Okello, who play in the US second tier. Masereka, a winger for Colorado Rapids, and Okello, a midfielder at Lexington, represent the new wave of players being integrated into the national team.

Joseph Sseremba, a dynamic box-to-box midfielder who has rapidly progressed through the ranks, earns his first national team call-up. Goalkeeper David Lukwago of SC Villa has also been recognized for his impressive performances last season. In the goalkeeping department, Hannington Ssebwalunyo of NEC FC completes the trio, with Salim Jamal currently unattached and Ismail Watenga recovering from injury.

The Cranes are also scheduled to play two friendly matches against DR Congo, managed by former Uganda coach Sébastien Desabre, as part of their preparations.

This new-look squad faces the immediate challenge of the AFCON qualifiers, setting the stage for the team’s journey towards the 2027 tournament. The full squad details and their respective clubs are available in the source material.

Source: https://www.monitor.ug/uganda/sports/soccer/put-names-new-look-cranes-as-afcon-preps-start-5591164