Comoros test for Paul Put’s new look Uganda Cranes

Saturday March 23, 2024

• Grande Stade Marrakech, Morocco 12am Ugandan Time (Local Time 9pm)

Uganda Cranes face Comoros on Friday/Saturday morning in an international friendly match that tests coach Joseph Paul Put new look team in Morocco.

The Belgian has at his disposal a team with new faces from the local league who are alien to the Cranes as well as those who are being called for the first time from abroad and have never played in Africa.

Athlone FC striker Carl James Mujaguzi, Hearts’ defenders Tobby Sibbick and Charlton Athletics’ Nathan Asiimwe, a defender as well are all being summoned to the national team for the first time.

Put admits there is little time to have a team gel but there is balance in the team.

“We have a lot of new players so you can see they are not used to playing with each other,” he stated in an earlier interview.

“I think and am sure that these players can bring something to the team. More balance in the team because we have some injuries in some positions.”

Talking injuries, a few established national team players including skipper Khalid Aucho, midfielder Bobosi Byaruhanga as well as returning Allan Kyambadde, goalkeepers Salim Jamal and Ismail Watenga all miss the Morocco camp due to injuries.

Comoros coach Stefano Henri Cusin summoned a 24-man squad that will not only play Uganda but Angola as well.

After the game against Comoros, Uganda will take on Ghana Black Stars on Tuesday March 26.

Summoned Squad
Goalkeepers
Tom Ikara (BUL FC), Jack Komakech (Vipers SC), Giousue Bellagambi (Huddersfield Town FC)

Defenders
Kenneth Semakula (SC Villa), Elvis Bwomono (St. Mirren FC), Bevis Mugabi (Motherwell FC), Toby Sibbick (Hearts FC), Halidi Lwaliwa (Bregalnica STIP), Timothy Awany (FC Ashdod), Nicholas Mwere (BUL FC), Denis Kaka Omony (Soltilo Bright Stars FC)

Midfielders
Allan Kyambadde (El Dakhieya SC), Ronald Ssekiganda (SC Villa), Bobosi Byaruhanga (Austin FC), Moses Opondo (AC Horsens), Travis Mutyaba (Zamalek SC), Ashraf Mugume (KCCA FC)

Forwards
Milton Karisa (Vipers SC), Denis Omedi (Kitara FC), Rogers Kassim Mato (Brena Strumica), Moses Aliro Okabo (URA FC), Steven Dese Mukwala (Asante Kotoko), Muhammad Shaban (KCCA FC), Fahad Bayo (MFK Vyskov), Carl James Mujaguzi (Athlone FC), Shafik Kakande (Soltilo Bright Stars FC)

Note: Karim Watambala replaced Bobosi Byaruhanga