Cranes coach Paul Put names squad for upcoming World Cup Qualifiers
May 24, 2024
The Uganda Cranes‘ team for the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Algeria and Botswana has been announced by head coach Paul Joseph Put.
Four goalkeepers, nine defenders, six midfielders, and nine forwards make up the Belgian’s announced lineup.
With five players—goalkeeper Braddy Jeans Wokorach, Ronald Ssekiganda, Umar Lutalo, Kenneth Semakula, and their star player Patrick Jonah Kakande—SC Villa, the recent champions of the Uganda Premier League, dominate Put’s roster.
Allan Okello of Vipers SC and Muhammad Shaban, the top scorer in the 2023–24 Uganda Premier League for KCCA FC, are included in the 28-man roster.
The new player added to the team is Italian Serie B team Calcio Lecco FC’s defender Elio Capradossi.
Born in Kampala, Capradossi was the child of a Congolese mother and an Italian father. At the U16, U17, U18, U19, U20, and U23 levels, he represented Italy.
As a squad captain, he led AS Roma to victory in the 2015–2016 Italian U19 Championship.
The Belgian strategist also summons Uchechukwu Mubiru Ikpeazu once more.
At Mandela National Stadium, Uganda Cranes will play Algeria on June 10 after hosting Botswana on June 7.
Full Uganda Cranes Squad
Goalkeepers:
Isima Bid Rashid Watenga (Lamontville Golden Arrows FC, South Africa), Nafian Alionzi (Defence Forces FC, Ethiopia), Crispus Kusiima (Kitara FC, Uganda), Braddy Jeans Wokorach (SC Villa, Uganda)
Defenders:
Elvis Bwomono (St. Mirren FC, Scotland), Kenneth Semakula (SC Villa, Uganda), Isaac Muleme (FK Victoria Zizkov, Czech Republic), Abdu Aziizi Kayondo (MFK Vyskov, Czech Republic), Nicholas Mwere (BUL FC, Uganda), Bevis Mugabi (Motherwell FC, Scotland), Timothy Denis Awany (FC Ashdod, Israel), Capradossi Elio (Calcio Lecco FC, Italy), Halidi Lwaliwa (FK Bregainica Stip, North Macedonia)
Midfielders:
Khalid Aucho (Yanga SC, Tanzania), Bobosi Byaruhanga (Austin FC, USA), Ronald Ssekiganda (SC Villa, Uganda), Joel Sserunjogi (KCCA FC, Uganda), Ibrahim Kasule (New York Red Bull II, USA),Travis Mutyaba (Zamalek SC, Egypt)
Forwards:
Steven Dese Mukwala (Asante Kotoko FC, Ghana), Uchechukwu Mubiru Ikpeazu (Port Vale, England), Denis Omedi (Kitara FC, Uganda), Muhammad Shaban (KCCA FC, Uganda), Fahad Aziz Bayo (MFK Vyskov, Czech Republic), Rogers Kassim Mato (Brera Strumica), Patrick Jonah Kakande (SC Villa, Uganda), Umar Lutalo (SC Villa, Uganda), Allan Okello (Vipers SC, Uganda)