Uganda Cranes Head Coach Paul Joseph Put has summoned a provisional squad of 36 players ahead of the 2024 TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN).
The coach revealed the squad on Wednesday in a press briefing held at FUFA Complex in Mengo, Kampala. The squad comprises of four goalkeepers, twelve defenders, ten midfielders and ten forwards.
James Bogere, Brian Ijara and Isima Magala both fresh from guiding the Uganda U17 National Team to AFCON qualification have also made the cut on the squad for CHAN 2024.
The team will start training on Friday, 10th January with non-residential training up to Sunday before entering residential camp on Monday next week at Cranes Paradise Hotel, Kisasi. The coach explained that the first three days will be about assessment before the group is reduced to 26.
“We shall use Friday, Saturday and Sunday to access the players and then have 26 players thereafter. However, the players that will not remain in camp will continue following our programme to make sure they are ever on alert,” he said.
About the teenagers summoned, coach believes this is a good platform for them. “I believe these players are capable and I wanted to give them an opportunity to train and compete at such a level. We have seen players at that age featuring for their senior team. Therefore, this is their chance to come and show their abilities,” Put added.
He added that two international friendlies are lined up coming on the 17th January and a week later.
CHAN 2024 will take place between 1st -28th February 2025 in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
Full Squad;
Goalkeepers; Hannington Ssebwalunyo (NEC FC), Mutwalibi Mugolofa (KCCA FC),Joel Mutakubwa (BUL FC), Crispas Kusiima (Kitara FC).
Defenders; Gavin Kizito Mugweri (KCCA FC), Gideon Odongo (NEC FC), Moses Aliro (URA FC), Derrick Ndahiro (Vipers SC), Enock Walusimbi (URA FC), Arnold Odong (SC Villa), Rogers Torach (Vipers SC), Hillary Mukundane (Vipers SC), Walter Ochora (BUL FC), James Begisa Penza (URA FC), Nicholas Mwere (BUL FC), Paul Patrick Mbowa (Vipers SC).
Midfielders; Joel Sserunjogi (KCCA FC), Enock Ssebagala (NEC FC), Ibrahim Thembo (NEC FC), Emmanuel Wasswa (Express FC), Ronald Ssekiganda (SC Villa), Allan Okello (Vipers SC), Saidi Mayanja (KCCA FC), Brian Ijara (KCCA FC), Patrick Jonah Kakande (SC Villa), Isima Magala Mulala (Masaka Sunshine FC)
Forwards; Hakim Kiwanuka (SC Villa, Milton Karisa (Vipers SC), Denis Omedi (Kitara FC)Jude Ssemugabi (Kitara FC), Shafik Nana Kwikiriza (KCCA FC), Paul Mucureezi (NEC FC), Isaac Ogwang (Police FC), James Bogere (Masaka Sunshine FC), Sadat Happy Anaku (KCCA FC), Charles Lwanga (SC Villa).
