Uganda Cranes’ World Cup Aspirations: The Roster Takes Shape
Newly appointed as the head coach of Uganda Cranes, Paul Joseph Put has called up a provisional squad of 36 players to kickstart preparations for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. Uganda is set to face Guinea and Somalia on November 17th and 21st, respectively, under the leadership of Head Coach Paul Joseph Put and Assistant Coach Sam Ssimbwa. Both matches will be played in Morocco, with Uganda as the visiting team on both occasions.
The final squad will travel to Berkene, Morocco, on November 12th. Uganda is in Group G, along with Algeria, Somalia, Guinea, Botswana, and Mozambique.
Here’s the provisional squad:
Goalkeepers:
1. Nafian Legason Alionzi (Mekelakeya SC, Ethiopia)
2. Salim Omar Magoola (Richards Bay FC, South Africa)
3. Isima Bin Rashid Abdul Watenga (Golden Arrows FC, South Africa)
4. Joel Mutakubwa (BUL FC, Uganda)
5. Jack Komakech (Vipers SC, Uganda)
Defenders:
1. Kenneth Semakula (SC Villa, Uganda)
2. Gavin Kizito Mugweri (SC Villa, Uganda)
3. Elvis Bwomono Okello (IBV Vestamanyaer, Iceland)
4. Abdu Aziizi Kayondo (CD Leganes, Spain)
5. Ibrahim Juma (CD Leganes, Spain)
6. Mustafa Kizza (KCCA FC, Uganda)
7. Halidi Lwaliwa (FK Bregalnica, North Macedonia)
8. Bevis Kristofer Mugabi (Motherwell FC, Scotland)
9. Najib Fesali (URA FC, Uganda)
10. Denis Timothy Awany (SC Ashdod, Israel)
11. Benjamin Nyakoojo (Kitara FC, Uganda)
12. Rogers Ochaki Torach (Vipers SC, Uganda)
Midfielders:
1. Bobosi Byaruhanga (Austin FC, USA)
2. Khalid Aucho (Yanga SC, Tanzania)
3. Hudu Mulikyi (URA FC, Uganda)
4. Allan Oyirwoth (AMUS College, Uganda)
5. Bright Anukani (Vipers SC, Uganda)
6. Rogers Mugisha (Gor Mahia FC, Kenya)
7. Isma Mugulusi (Unattached)
8. Joseph Kizito Luwagga (Hapoel Kfar Saba, Israel)
9. Umaru Lutalo (SC Villa, Uganda)
10. Hamza Kawooya (Express FC, Uganda)
Forwards:
1. Denis Omedi (Kitara FC, Uganda)
2. Fred Amaku (Maroons FC, Uganda)
3. Richard Basangwa (Wadi Degla SC, Egypt)
4. Rogers Mato (Sanliurfaspor FC, Turkey)
5. Milton Karisa (Vipers SC, Uganda)
6. Yunus Sentamu (Vipers SC, Uganda)
7. Jaockim Ojera (Rayon Sports FC, Rwanda)
8. Fahad Aziz Bayo (MFK Vyskov, Czech Republic)
9. Travis Mutyaba (FC Dynamo Tbilisi, Georgia)
These players will be vying for spots in the final squad for the World Cup qualifiers.