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)
KCCA BOUNCE BACK: KASASIRO BOYS OVERCOME RECENT SLUMP WITH A GRITTY 2-1 BUL WIN
KCCA are back: Discover how Ivan Ahimbisibwe and Herbert Achai secured a 2-1 win over Bul to rejoin the UPL title race.
Ivan Ahimbisibwe and Herbert Achai both found the net for KCCA, either side of a Denis Sewagudde goal, in a win that really should let coaches Ssenyondo and Jackson Magera breathe a little easier.
Zeal. Hunger. Character. Attitude. That’s what KCCA coach Brian Ssenyondo wanted to see after his team got handed their third loss in five games last week, a 3-1 defeat to NEC that stung. This time, he finally got it. KCCA showed all those qualities and pulled off a gritty 2-1 victory over Bul in the Uganda Premier League at Phillip Omondi Stadium on Wednesday night.
Ahimbisibwe and Achai scored for KCCA, with Sewagudde briefly levelling for Bul, and the result means Ssenyondo and Magera can at least feel the pressure lift for now.
But maybe more importantly, this win drags KCCA back into the title race. They’re now sitting on 33 points from 17 games, just five behind leaders Vipers.
The game started off tight, both sides feeling each other out, but Bul looked a little sharper early on. Even so, it was KCCA who broke the deadlock in the 31st minute with their first real chance. They overloaded the right, Saidi Mayanja whipped in a cross, and Ahimbisibwe, timing his run just right, dived in for a header. That’s his seventh goal of the season, and honestly, he’s been one of the few bright spots among the club’s new signings.
KCCA then had to dig in. Achai made a crucial block to deny Karim Ndugwa after a cross from Reagan Kalyowa. But just before halftime, the tricky Sewagudde bent in a free kick that completely wrong-footed KCCA keeper Mutwalibi Mugolofa, and Bul were level.
After the break, KCCA rediscovered their missing edge. Four minutes into the second half, left-back Achai stormed forward, played a quick one-two with Ashraf Mugume, then hammered the ball past Bul’s Ikara at the near post.
From there, KCCA held Bul at bay, sealing a rare home-and-away double over their Njeru-based rivals, who remain eighth on 20 points.
Earlier that day, Lugazi captain Richard Ayiko grabbed the winner as his side edged UPDF 1-0 in Najjembe, giving them a six-point cushion above the relegation zone. And at the bottom, Calvary finally picked up their fifth point of the season with a goalless draw against Express in Yumbe.
TITLE RACE HEAT: HOW VIPERS DROPPING HOME POINTS GIVES KITARA A CHANCE TO STRIKE
Vipers SC stay top of the UPL with 38 points! Discover how Warren Buule’s equaliser for NEC FC shook up the title race at Kitende.
NEC are stuck in seventh place with 24 points from 17 games. Vipers, even after dropping home points for just the second time this season, hang on to the top spot with 38.
Honestly, NEC have drawn more games than they'd like, nine out of 17. That’s a lot of stalemates in the Startimes Uganda Premier League. But this time, their 1-1 draw away to the reigning champs, Vipers, felt like more than just another point. It actually meant something, especially under the lights at St. Mary’s Stadium in Kitende on Tuesday evening.
Vipers came out flying. They grabbed the lead early and pretty much ran the first half. Six minutes in, Milton Karisa latched onto a slick through ball from Karim Watambala and curled a lovely left-footed shot past NEC keeper Hannington Ssebwalunyo. That was Karisa’s sixth goal of the season, and for a minute there, it looked like the Vipers were about to run riot, just like they did in their 4-0 demolition of Buhimba last time at home.
NEC looked shaky. Coach Badru Kaddu had seen enough and made two early changes, bringing on Shamir Kimwero and Joseph Dhata for Rashid Kawawa and Daniel Shabene inside 25 minutes. The switch helped steady things, but NEC didn’t really come to life until the second half.
Then, with 15 minutes left, substitute Emmanuel Kulanga swung in a cross, and Warren Buule was there at the far post to head in the equaliser. That goal was well earned; NEC were much better after the break. Richard Basangwa, playing up front, kept his old team busy and even got Bady Da Silva and Enoch Ssebagala booked. Ssebagala didn’t last much longer, getting subbed off after a rough tackle on his former side.
NEC has been busy in the mid-season transfer window. They’ve already added six new faces, and more are on the way. Sam Ssekamatte, who scored five goals for UPDF in the first round, watched from the stands with the rest of the unused squad.
So, NEC holds on to seventh, Vipers stay top, but Kitara could shake things up if they beat URA on Thursday. This title race isn’t done yet.
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