Uganda Cranes Squad Named for AFCON 2027 Qualifiers

Paul Put has nailed his colours to the mast. The Uganda Cranes head coach has called up a 28-man squad for a demanding September–October international window that could shape the country’s path towards the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.

Uganda open their AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign away to Tunisia on September 24, then return home to host Libya on September 29. Once the competitive dust settles, the Cranes will test their depth with two friendlies against DR Congo on October 2 and 5.

Four games in 16 days. Put wants players who can handle that strain.

Onyango returns to anchor experienced spine

In goal, the headline is familiar but still significant: Denis Onyango is back in the national frame. The veteran Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper leads a trio that also features David Lukwago of SC Villa and Hannington Ssebwalunyo of NEC FC.

Behind them, Put has gone for a mix of European-based and local defenders, clearly eyeing versatility across the back line. Toby Sibbick (Burton Albion), Jonathan Odongo (UPPC), Rogers Torach (CS Constantine), Aziz Kayondo (Slovan Liberec), Herbert Achayi (KCCA FC) and Herbert Bockhorn (FC Magdeburg) all get the nod.

They are joined by Nathan Asiimwe (Salford City), Geofrey Lubanga Kene (SC Villa), Hillary Mukundane (Vipers SC) and Gavin Kizito (Nairobi United), giving the Belgian coach options at full-back and centre-half for what will be a physically demanding set of fixtures.

Midfield balance and attacking competition

In midfield, Put has gone lean but purposeful. Baba Alhassan (Mardin 1996 Spor), Noble Okello (Lexington SC), Kenneth Semakula (Al Ittihad Alexandria), Allan Oyirwoth (Dunfermline FC) and Joseph Seremba (Nairobi United) will compete for control in the engine room.

Up front, the competition is fierce. James Bogere (AGF), Travis Mutyaba (CS Sfaxien), Denis Omedi (Gor Mahia), Rogers Mato (Hearts), Hassan Mubiru (Azam), Sadam Masereka (Colorado Springs Switchbacks), Steven Mukwala (Al Nasr), Richard Basangwa (NEC FC) and Frank Ssebufu (SC Villa) make up a varied forward line.

One forward was listed by FUFA only by his club, AS FAR of Morocco, in the official announcement, leaving a small mystery in an otherwise detailed squad list.

Put has publicly expressed satisfaction with the form, fitness and commitment of those selected, describing this as a “competitive” international window that demands sharpness from the first whistle in Tunis to the final minutes against DR Congo.

Big absentees and a warning shot

The notable names missing are impossible to ignore.

Jordan Obita and Elio Capradossi are out injured. Captain Khalid Aucho, Salim Jamal, Uche Ikpeazu, John Paul Dembe, Bobosi Byaruhanga and Jude Ssemugabi have also been left out of this squad.

Put has been clear on why. Some of those players are currently without clubs or have only just completed transfers and lack sufficient minutes. Others are returning from long-term injuries and have not yet hit full match fitness.

The message is blunt but not brutal: the door is not closed. The coach insists every one of the absentees can force their way back once they regain fitness and rhythm at club level.

For now, though, this is his group. From September 21 to October 6, the official international window gives Uganda four matches to prove that this new core can stand up to Tunisia away, protect home turf against Libya and then show depth and character in two tests against DR Congo.

The qualifiers will define the direction. The friendlies will reveal the future.