Uganda coach Paul Put has named a 30-man provisional squad as the Cranes prepare for their first CAF AFCON (Africa Cup of Nations) appearance since 2019, with the final group to be trimmed to 28 players in line with CAF regulations.
The squad will travel to Morocco on Sunday for an 11-day training camp in Casablanca, during which they will play two friendly matches before the final squad announcement.
Uganda have been drawn in Group C of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2025, alongside Nigeria, Tanzania and Tunisia.
Put has opted for a blend of experienced internationals and emerging talents.
https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FFootballUganda%2Fposts%2Fpfbid02jLB71ZMsxwZB7SKt8dD8buW9eiFpYAfg4xNKbfHaamTyQjj467sLTLBTD6pNbgFkl&show_text=true&width=500
Veteran goalkeeper Denis Onyango returns as one of four goalkeepers named, while teenage prospect James Bogere earns a first senior call-up after his standout displays at the U17 World Cup in Qatar.
There is further attacking reinforcement with in-form striker Mato Rogers, who has scored 15 goals in 17 matches for FK Vardar this season, leading the forward line.
The squad also features returns for Baba Alhassan and Melvyn Lorenzen, who impressed in Uganda’s November friendlies.
The defensive group includes Toby Sibbick of Burton Albion, Jordan Obita, Abdu Azizi Kayondo and SC Villa captain David Owori, while Khalid Aucho heads a midfield unit aiming to guide Uganda through a challenging group.
Uganda open their AFCON campaign against Tunisia on 23 December before facing Nigeria and Tanzania in what is considered one of the tournament’s most competitive groups.
Put will be required to cut two players before submitting his final 28-man squad to CAF ahead of the competition.
Uganda Cranes Provisional AFCON 2025 Squad (30 Players)
Goalkeepers
- Salim Omar Magoola – Richards Bay FC (South Africa)
- Denis Onyango – Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)
- Alionzi Nafian – Defence Forces FC (Ethiopia)
- Charles Lukwago – KCCA FC (Uganda)
Defenders
- Toby Sibbick – Burton Albion (England)
- Elio Caprodossi – Universitatea Cluj (Romania)
- Jordan Obita – Hibernian FC (Scotland)
- Rogers Torach – Vipers SC (Uganda)
- Abdu Azizi Kayondo – Slovan Liberec (Czech Republic)
- Isaac Muleme – Viktoria Žižkov (Czech Republic)
- Timothy Awany – FC Ashdod (Israel)
- David Owori – SC Villa (Uganda)
- Hilary Mukundane – Vipers SC (Uganda)
Midfielders
- Kenneth Semakula – Al-Adalah FC (Saudi Arabia)
- Khalid Aucho – Singida Black Stars (Tanzania)
- Ronald Ssekingada – APR FC (Rwanda)
- Bobosi Byaruhanga – Oakland Roots (USA)
- Baba Alhassan – FCSB (Romania)
Forwards
- Allan Okello – Vipers SC (Uganda)
- Melvyn Lorenzen – Muangthong United (Thailand)
- Travis Mutyaba – CS Sfaxien (Tunisia)
- Denis Omedi – APR FC (Rwanda)
- Mato Rogers – FK Vardar (North Macedonia)
- Reagan Mpande – SC Villa (Uganda)
- Jude Ssemugabi – Jamus FC (South Sudan)
- Uchechukwu Ikpeazu – St. Johnstone (Scotland)
- Steven Mukwala – Simba SC (Tanzania)
- James Bogere – Masaka Sunshine FC (Uganda)
- Ivan Ahimbisibwe – KCCA FC (Uganda)
- Shafik Nana Kwikiriza – KCCA FC (Uganda)
SOURCE: CAF ONLINE
