Defender Bevis Mugabi and striker Uchechukwu Ikpeazu Mubiru will not take part in the upcoming Uganda Cranes FIFA 2026 World Cup Qualifiers against Botswana and Algeria.
Mugabi, who plies his trade at Motherwell FC in Scotland, notified Uganda Cranes coach Paul Put that he will not be available for the games slated for next month. Ikpeazu confirmed to the coach that he has health challenges and will not be in line to make his long-awaited debut.
The communication was made official on Wednesday in a press conference held at FUFA Complex and addressed by FUFA Executive Committee Member and Executive Secretary in charge of Marketing and Communications, Rogers Byamukama.
Coach Put has consequently summoned BUL FC defender Ronald Otti to fill the void left by Mugabi, while Nelson Ssenkatuka from Soltilo Bright Stars FC has replaced Ikpeazu.
The Uganda Cranes squad will enter a residential camp on Thursday, 30th May 2024, at Cranes Paradise Hotel in Kisasi. All locally-based players will join camp tomorrow.
Halidi Lwaliwa, Nafian Alionzi, Timothy Awany, and Isima Watenga, who are already in the country, will be the first foreign-based players to join camp on Thursday morning. Italy-based defender Elio Capradossi will arrive in Uganda on Thursday at 11 am and head straight to camp.
The first training session will start on Friday, 31st May 2024, at 4:30 PM EAT at Mandela National Stadium (Outside Pitch).
Uganda will take on Botswana on 7th June 2024 and Algeria on 10th June 2024, with both games kicking off at 7:00 PM EAT at Mandela National Stadium.
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)
- Ronald Otti (BUL FC, Uganda)
- 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)
- Nelson Ssenkatuka (Soltilo Bright Stars FC, Uganda)
- 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)
