SORTING THE XI: PAUL PUT NARROWS DOWN CRANES SQUAD IDEAS BEFORE TUNISIA OPENER
Uganda Cranes coach Paul Put is making tactical changes for the Gabon friendly to sharpen his squad. Get the analysis on the final AFCON tests.
Uganda Cranes coach Paul Put is likely to switch things up against Gabon on Wednesday. This comes after a workout against AS Far Rabat. He's getting ready for their AFCON opener against Tunisia.
Uganda's AFCON 2025 prep is now in the stage coaches value: sorting, testing, and narrowing down ideas.
Saturday's 2-2 draw with AS Far Rabat wasn't the end, just a pause.
Paul Put now has a better idea of what's working and what needs work before facing Tunisia in their Group C opener in Rabat next Tuesday.
Against one of Morocco's best club teams, the Cranes showed some spark early on.
You can’t let up.
Denis Omedi's early goal and Ivan Ahimbisibwe's second-half goal showed a team ready to play and compete. They weren't afraid to challenge a tough opponent.
I liked their courage, but not the second-half slump when the game slipped away.
"We played with courage, but I wasn't happy with how we handled the ball in the second half," said Put.
Time to get serious.
Paul Put will likely make changes against Gabon
This isn't about using the same lineup but about making improvements. Several players from Europe could be available, and Put will likely make changes for a reason.
The game against Gabon, who have more experience than Far, gives them a better warm-up.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is still the main guy—his movement can punish mistakes.
Even when Gabon isn't at their best, Aubameyang makes it dangerous. He makes you remember that mistakes at Afcon are costly.
A needed test.
This is the test Uganda needs. Tunisia, Tanzania, and Nigeria won't be forgiving.
Gabon's speed will demand solid defence and focus for the whole game. Put has said these things are key.
Saturday's game also showed Uganda's midfield group, with Bobosi Byaruhanga and Travis Mutyaba playing in front of Khalid Aucho.
Omedi looked more sure of himself, and his goal was because of his movement.
James Bogere's start showed promise.
The young player created chances, missed a few, and tired out as the game went on. But Uganda now has depth.
Wednesday is about making adjustments. Put will want good play without being reckless.
Those who missed the Far game could be added. Allan Okello is also likely to play.
After Gabon, there's Tunisia on December 23, a game where mistakes are costly.
The Rabat game showed Uganda can compete. The Gabon game will show if they can control the game.
AFCON
LIFE AFTER OKELLO: HOW ABDULKARIM WATAMBALA BECAME VIPERS' NEW MIDFIELD COMMANDER
Vipers SC dismantled Police FC 4-1 at Kitende, led by a stunning AbdulKarim Watambala goal to extend their lead at the UPL summit.
Vipers came out flying, up 3-0 by halftime against a stunned Police squad. Once again, AbdulKarim Watambala pulled the strings in midfield, making everything tick.
With this 4-1 thumping at St. Mary’s Stadium in Kitende, Vipers held onto their three-point lead at the top of the Startimes Uganda Premier League heading into the last games of the first round.
Honestly, what was supposed to be a top-of-the-table clash turned into a breeze for the defending champions. They probably played their best half of football since Ivan Minnaert took over as head coach last July.
Watambala, who’s looked like a new man since his close friend Allan Okello left, set up the opener for Milton Karisa with a clever through ball. Karisa made no mistake, poking the ball past a scrambling Mathias Muwanga in the 32nd minute.
Then came the moment of the night. Watambala picked up a pass from Enoch Ssebagala just outside the box, and with police defenders backing off, he smashed a rocket in off the underside of the crossbar. That was his third goal in two games, after his brace in Saturday’s 3-0 win over URA.
Right before halftime, Odili Chukwuma put the game to bed, heading in Usama Arafat’s cross after nutmegging Richard Matovu.
Police barely threatened all evening, but Saidi Kyeyune managed to pull one back with a low shot just four minutes into the second half. It didn’t matter much. Vipers stretched their lead again in the 77th minute, when substitute Yunus Sentamu headed the ball across for Usama to tap in their fourth.
The win pushes the Vipers to 33 points. Police drop to third with 27. KCCA move into second place after brushing aside UPDF 4-0. Sammy Ssebaduka grabbed two goals, with Joel Sserunjogi and substitute Alpha Ssali also on the scoresheet.
UPL UPDATES: KCCA FC HELD IN LUZIRA WHILE POLICE FC CLOSE THE GAP AT TOP
Police FC move to second after beating Calvary, while KCCA is held to a goalless draw by Maroons in a rusty MD13 clash.
After beating Calvary, Police moved up to second place in the StarTimes Uganda Premier League. KCCA didn't score against Maroons, and Entebbe UPPC beat UPDF, keeping the title race close on match day 13.
Police grabbed second place in the StarTimes Uganda Premier League after a 2-0 win against Calvary at Kiira Road on Wednesday.
Breaks during the season are usually a time for teams to regroup and let players rest after many games in a short time. But for the Uganda Premier League, there hasn't been much going on since mid-December, partly because of the 2025 AFCON.
Today's game between Maroons and KCCA in Luzira was different. Both teams seemed out of practice, which might explain the dull game that ended with no score.
Neither team seemed ready to push for a win, and there were few chances to score.
KCCA and Maroons each played one game between December 17 and today, losing to Police and Buhimba United Saints, respectively. That's just one game in 35 days.
Maroons played a physical game, preventing KCCA from controlling the ball and playing their usual style. This could be why coach Brian Ssenyondo took out Ashraf Mugume and Saidi Mayanja at halftime, replacing them with Brian Jjara and Derrick Nsibambi.
The home team kept KCCA away from the goal, and even when they brought in another striker, Emmanuel Anyama, later in the second half, they didn't get many chances.
Maroons defended well as a team to earn a point, putting them in seventh place with 16 points.
For KCCA FC, this result is a setback in their chase for the title. They are tied for first place with 27 points, the same as Police, who beat Calvary FC, and Vipers, who have two games left.
Wednesday's results:
Maroons 0-0 KCCA
Police 2-0 Calvary
UPDF 0-1 Entebbe UPPC