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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?

No Gabon Friendly: How Will Paul Put Finalize Uganda Cranes’s AFCON Lineup
How Does Paul Put a Plan to Shock Group C

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.

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.

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Watambala’s screamer against Police trending as UPL Goal of the Season

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.

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Vipers, KCCA, and Police tied on points

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

Premier League Standings

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