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NO GABON FRIENDLY: HOW WILL PAUL PUT FINALIZE UGANDA CRANES’S AFCON LINEUP
With the Gabon friendly cancelled, how does Paul Put plan to finalise Uganda's starting XI before their AFCON opener vs. Tunisia?
Uganda's last friendly got cancelled, but coach Paul Put is still locked in on getting ready for Afcon 2025. The Cranes are settling into Rabat and getting down to business.
Put had everything planned out, hoping for a clear picture. Instead, he had to compromise.
This final warm-up game was supposed to help nail down player combinations, roles, and positioning.
But the match against Gabon was called off because of transportation problems on their end, leaving the Cranes without that last practice run.
For Put, it's just another thing that's made preparing a challenge.
Players based in Europe showed up late. Release times changed, and he had to redo training plans quickly.
The coach said earlier that normally, teams get two weeks to prep players before the event. But messages came in late, letting him know that players from abroad can be around in mid-December.
The Gabon game was supposed to be the grand moment. A chance for Put to try out his starting lineup on purpose.
During the draw with AS Far Rabat, key defenders like Toby Sibbick and others weren't playing, while striker Melvyn Lorenzen just joined the team.
Time to adjust. The Cranes came to Morocco over time.
They stayed in Casablanca for about two weeks, played AS Far Rabat, and got their rhythm going in training.
After the Gabon game fell through, FUFA set up a new plan: one last practice, then a move to Rabat, where Uganda will stay for their matches in Group C. That's part of getting ready, too.
AFCON kicks off on Sunday, but Uganda plays Tunisia in Rabat on Tuesday.
It's a tough start, followed by games against Tanzania and Nigeria. The team will need to be at their best right away.
Put knows a friendly game doesn't make or break readiness. Structure, command, and a clear head do.
He's often talked about player combinations and reacting when things get tough, balancing youth with experience, and deciding early so players can grow. Those talks don't stop just because a game got canned.
The goalie situation is still up in the air, but the defence is set. There are a few choices for midfield. Up front, the team has more competition.
Even without that final practice, the main goal is still the same.
Uganda's in Rabat, ready to compete. AFCON isn't about perfect prep anyway. It's about being able to change plans, staying calm, and keeping the faith when things get tough.
He has had some setbacks, but his work is just getting started.
WILL SC VILLA OVERTAKE KCCA: VIPERS WIN AS CALVARY SINK AT THE BOTTOM
SC Villa and Vipers SC secure crucial wins to stay within touching distance of league leaders KCCA before the mid-season break.
On Wednesday, SC Villa and Vipers SC did just enough to keep pace with KCCA, who are leading the StarTimes Uganda Premier League. Meanwhile, Maroons had the most impressive showing, easily defeating Express at home.
SC Villa managed to stay close to the Startimes Uganda Premier League leaders before the month-long break, eking out a 1-0 victory against Calvary, who are at the bottom of the league. The game took place on Wednesday evening at the Fufa Kadiba Stadium in Mengo.
Aslam Ssemakula scored a penalty in the fifth minute after Najib Yiga was fouled by Stephen Oriokot. Despite a determined effort from Calvary, who were looking to salvage at least a point, no more goals were scored.
This win puts Villa at 23 points, just three behind KCCA and one behind Vipers. They were likely thankful for that early goal, as Calvary threatened to take points off yet another major team, having held Vipers the previous week.
Calvary paid the price for a shaky start at the Kadiba Stadium. They almost fell behind in the first minute when Frank Ssebufu went through on goal, forcing Calvary's goalie, Hadji Shukuru, to make a fingertip save.
Around the 15-minute mark, the striker also missed connecting with a cross from Frank Mulimi, as Calvary struggled against the intense pressure from Villa.
Gradually, Calvary got into the game, forcing Villa's goalie, David Lukwago, to make saves from Daniel Opio and Lawrence Olaboro before halftime.
Calvary continued to match their opponents, playing well from their own end. The fact that they've only managed to score six goals (the fewest in the division) continued to plague them.
This loss leaves them at the very bottom of the table with only three points from 11 games. They now face a long trip back to Yumbe and an even longer struggle to avoid being relegated.
Earlier in the day, the current champions, Vipers, also did their part, securing a 2-1 away win against Lugazi in Najjembe before the break.
Usama Arafat gave Vipers an early lead in the eighth minute, tapping in the rebound after Milton Karisa's header was saved by goalie Juma Mutebi.
This was Usama's fourth goal, continuing his good run with Vipers after moving from KCCA.
Later, substitute Yunus Sentamu scored Vipers' second goal in the 74th minute, running onto a long pass from Robin Kane Hney and lifting the ball past Mutebi.
Lugazi managed to pull one back a minute before the end when Ashiraf Mulindi's shot, which seemed weak, was not controlled by Alfred Mudekereza.
TEENAGE SENSATION: WILL 17-YEAR-OLD JAMES BOGERE BE UGANDA’S AFCON X-FACTOR
Paul Put finalises his 28-man squad for Morocco 2025. Does the inclusion of James Bogere signal a new era for the Uganda Cranes?
Uganda Cranes coach Paul Put is still feeling good about the 2025 AFCON, even though the team's preparations haven't been ideal. He's picked his final 28 players and is ready to go.
Put had to change his plans for the Africa Cup of Nations after their last friendly game got cancelled at the last minute.
The Cranes were going to play Gabon in a warm-up match, and Put needed to check out his players and get the starting lineup right. But Gabon had logistical problems and cancelled, so the Ugandan team had to come up with a new plan.
This is the most recent problem for the coach. The technical team had to change their training plans before because Europe-based players showed up late.
Less Than Perfect Prep
Put said earlier that we usually have two weeks to get our players ready before the games begin. Now, we got a message saying players from other countries can't make it until December 16 or 17. No coach is happy about this.
The Gabon game was important to get players who missed earlier practices up to speed. The team tied 2-2 with AS FAR Rabat recently, but top defenders like Toby Sibbick, Jordan Obita, Elio Capradossi, and Aziz Kayondo didn't play. Striker Melvyn Lorenzen didn't join the team until this week either.
Even though it's not ideal, the team is focused on getting ready instead of complaining. The Cranes have been in Morocco for about two weeks to get used to the weather and get in sync. After the cancellation, FUFA said the team will have one more practice before leaving Casablanca for Rabat, where they'll be based for the Group C games.
When does Uganda start AFCON?
Uganda starts its qualifying games next Tuesday against Tunisia in Rabat. After that, they play Tanzania and Nigeria, so it's a tough start.
Put keeps talking about how important tactics, discipline, and focus are. The friendly game would have helped, but they're still working on teamwork and good decisions in practice. Some things, like who will be the starting goalie, aren't decided yet. But the defence is set, and a lot of players are fighting for a spot on the attack.
The Cranes aren't perfectly prepared, but they're ready to play hard in Rabat. Success in big tournaments often comes down to how well you adjust and stay calm under stress, and the team will need to show that from the beginning.
Who Made the Final Squad?
Put announced his final 28-man squad for the AFCON, and goalkeepers Charles Lukwago (KCCA) and defender David Owori (SC Villa) didn't cut.
A surprise pick is young forward James Bogere, who played for Uganda at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar. Coach Put thinks the Masaka Sunshine FC player can do well with the senior team.
Goalkeepers: Salim Omar Magoola (Richards Bay FC, South Africa), Denis Onyango (Mamelodi Sundowns FC, South Africa), Nafian Alionzi (Defence Forces FC, Ethiopia)
Defenders: Toby Sibbick (Burton Albion FC, England), Elio Caprodossi (FC Universitatea Cluj, Romania), Jordan Obita (Hibernian FC, Scotland,d), Rogers Torach (Vipers SCUgand ad, a), Kenneth Semakula (Al-Adalah FC, Saudi Ara) b,ia) Abdu Azizi Kayondo (FC Slovan Liberec, CzRepublicli,c), Isaac Muleme (Viktoria Žižkov, Czech Republic), Timothy Awany (FC Ashdod, Israel), and Hilary Mukundane (Vipers SC, Uganda)
Midfielders: Khalid Aucho (Singida Black Stars, Tanzania), Ronald Ssekiganda (APR FC, Rwanda) and Bobosi Byaruhanga (Oakland RootS.C..C, U, USA), Alhassan Baba (FCSB, Romania), Allan Okello (Vipers SC, Uganda), Travis Mutyaba (CS Sfaxien, Tunisia)
Forwards: Melvyn Lorenzen (Muangthong United FC, Thailand), Denis Omedi (RFC, Rwanda), Rogers Mato (FK Vardar, North Macedonia), Reagan Mpande (SC Villa, Uganda), Jude Ssemugabi (Jamus FC, South Sudan), Uchechukwu Ikpeazu (St Johnstone FC, Scotland), Steven Mukwala (Simba SC, Tanzania), James Bogere (Masaka Sunshine FC, Uganda), Ivan Ahimbisibwe (KCCA FC, Uganda), Shafik Nana Kwikiriza (KCCA FC, Uganda)
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