Uganda Cranes head coach Paul Put has placed his trust in the future of Ugandan football, selecting eleven players from the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. The announcement was made during a press briefing held at the FUFA Complex in Mengo on Tuesday, August 27.
The Cranes are set to face Mozambique on September 5 and Somalia on September 8 at the Mandela National Stadium, both games kicking off at 7:00 PM. These crucial matches mark the start of Uganda’s journey to secure a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Coach Put was full of praise for the CHAN 2024 players, citing their performance, determination, and growth throughout the tournament.
“I am so proud of the boys and the technical team at large,” Put said. “It was very hot during the two months, and we saw players doing their best. If they can bring the work they played against South Africa, we are good to go.”
Uganda’s CHAN 2024 campaign ended with pride, having exited after a narrow defeat to Senegal in the quarterfinals. Despite the loss, the tournament showcased the resilience and promise of Uganda’s locally-based players.
“These boys have been progressing in each game. They deserve to be in the squad,” Put continued. “I want them to connect more with the international players so that they can be more exposed.”
Among the notable inclusions in the new 28-man squad is veteran goalkeeper Denis Onyango, making a return to the national fold. Although not part of the CHAN squad, Onyango played a mentorship role behind the scenes, offering guidance to the goalkeeping unit.
“He is very experienced, and being that he plays for Sundowns, we need that experience for the national team. Playing these two games will also help us prepare more for the AFCON tournament,” Put explained.
The coach also extended gratitude to fans who supported the team during the CHAN tournament.
“They pushed them and motivated them to play and make every minute on the pitch count. Thank you, fans, thank you Uganda.”
The Uganda Cranes will begin training on September 1, with residential camp starting a day earlier on August 31 at the FUFA Hotel in Kisaasi.
