The Uganda Cranes have named a 28-man provisional squad for next month’s international friendlies in Morocco as preparations intensify for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.
Uganda will face Tanzania on June 5 before taking on Madagascar three days later in Marrakech, with the matches expected to provide an early assessment of the team ahead of a demanding qualification schedule later this year.
Paul Put's squad combines experienced internationals with emerging talent that has impressed both locally and abroad during the season.
Several standout performers from the Uganda Premier League earned call-ups alongside foreign-based professionals playing across Europe, Africa and the United States.
Among the locally based players selected are SC Villa defenders David Lukwago and Geoffrey Lubanga Kene, Vipers midfielder Abdu Karim Watambala, NEC’s Richard Basangwa and KCCA youngster Sammy Ssebadduka.
The squad also includes experienced names such as Allan Okello, Jordan Obita, Steven Mukwala and Travis Mutyaba.
Speaking after announcing the team, Put said the Morocco friendlies would offer a crucial opportunity to evaluate the squad before the Afcon 2027 qualifiers begin later this year.
“I think these will be two good games to test where we are as a team. Qualifiers for AFCON 2027 start soon in September, October and November, so we need to be prepared,” Put said.
The Belgian tactician explained that the camp would also allow the technical team to assess several new faces who have stood out during the current campaign.
“This squad also includes some new names, including local players who have shown their potential and talent this year. I want to give them a chance,” he added.
Put also confirmed that injuries influenced some of the selections, with several regular players unavailable for the upcoming matches.
“We also had to deal with injuries. Players like Toby Sibbick are not 100 percent fit, and Elio Capradossi, Nafian Alionzi and Jude Ssemugabi are carrying injuries. Uche has not been playing regularly because his team’s season ended early, so he is not in this squad. These are the selections for this campaign,” he noted.
The provisional squad includes Hannington Ssebwalunyo, Joel Mutakubwa, Herbert Bockhorn, Nathan Asiimwe, Raymon Barasa Mangoli, Aziz Kayondo, Herbert Achayi, Joseph Seremba, Bobosi Byaruhanga, Alhassan Baba, James Bogere, Rogers Mato, Hassan Mubiru, Frank Ssebufu, Allan Oyirwoth, Noble Okello, Arafat Usama Kiza and Ivan Ahimbisibwe among others.
The two friendlies form part of Uganda’s wider preparations for the TotalEnergies AFCON 2027 tournament, which will be jointly hosted by Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania.