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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)
HISTORY MADE: WHY UGANDA CRANES USED THREE GOALKEEPERS IN A SINGLE AFCON NIGHTMARE
Uganda’s AFCON run ends in a 3-1 defeat to Nigeria. The Cranes used three goalkeepers in a match that saw Salim Magoola sent off.
Uganda's run at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations is over after a tough 3-1 loss to Nigeria. They didn't win a single game and are out after the group stage. Nigeria finished top of Group C with 9 points, while Uganda ended up last with only 1 point. Uganda had trouble scoring and let in the most goals, showing they still have a ways to go.
Nigeria came out strong, keeping Uganda pinned back. Their pressure paid off when Paul Onuachu scored in the 28th minute after a great pass from Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, putting Nigeria ahead.
Uganda couldn't get into the game and barely created any chances. Karl Uche Ikpeazu was isolated up front. They wasted several set-piece opportunities, and captain Denis Onyango had to make a bunch of saves. He even needed treatment a few times before being subbed out at halftime.
Things got worse in the 57th minute when Onyango's replacement, Salim Jamal Magoola, got a red card for handling the ball outside the box while trying to stop Victor Osimhen. Uganda was down to ten men.
Nafian Alionzi came in, making Uganda the first team in the tournament to use three goalkeepers in one game.
Nigeria took advantage of the situation, and Raphael Onyedika scored twice in the 62nd and 66th minutes, making it 3-0. Game over for Uganda.
Uganda managed to pull one back in the 75th minute when Rogers Kassim Mato scored after a nice play with Allan Okello. It got the 11,545 fans excited, but Nigeria just slowed the game down and won easily.
With this win, Nigeria finished Group C undefeated. Uganda finished last, having let in the most goals in the group.
In the other game, Tanzania drew 1-1 with Tunisia. This meant that both teams, along with Nigeria, moved on. Tanzania made it to the Round of 16 as one of the best third-placed teams.
Uganda lost 3-1 to Tunisia, drew 1-1 with Tanzania, and lost 3-1 to Nigeria. They're still waiting for their first-ever win in the AFCON finals.
For head coach Joseph Paul Put, the tournament had some good moments, but it also showed that Uganda needs to be more consistent, disciplined, and clinical to compete at the highest level.
TUESDAY PREVIEW: PAUL PUT PREPARES UGANDA FOR DECISIVE FINAL AFCON GROUP CLASH
Uganda must beat Nigeria to reach the AFCON 2025 knockouts. Discover Paul Put’s strategy and Jordan Obita’s call for belief in Fes.
Paul Put's team is heading to Stade de Fes, aiming for a win. This victory could get them into the round of 16 either as Group C's second-place team or as one of the top four third-place teams in the 24-team contest.
"We're up against a really good team," Put said. They were in the final at the last Cup of Nations, and they've won both matches here in Morocco.
We know how good the Nigerian players are. A lot of them play in big leagues in Europe, so we need to be super focused.
But we know what's at stake. It won't be easy; it will be tough. But if we put in the effort, anything's possible.
Tunisia is playing Tanzania in Rabat on Tuesday night. They beat Uganda 3-1 in their first game on December 23.
In their second game, Uganda drew 1-1 with Tanzania after Allan Okello missed a late penalty.
"We had a great chance to win," said Uganda defender Jordan Obita. But it didn't happen.
We can't be scared of going into the Nigeria game. We have to believe we can do something, and that's what we're going to do.
Uganda reached the last 16 in 2019 in Egypt—the first time the Africa Cup of Nations had 24 teams.
But the country's teams didn't make it into the competitions in Cameroon and Côte d'Ivoire after that.
In 2027, Uganda will host the event with Kenya and Uganda. Obita mentioned that the players in the Uganda team want to show what they're made of at the 2025 contest.
"Everyone back home in Uganda needs to see that we can compete with the best countries in the world," said the 32-year-old, who plays for Hibernian in the Scottish Premiership.
When we played Algeria in the World Cup qualifiers, it showed we can go head-to-head with top-tier countries and players.
Nigeria's coach, Eric Chelle, was secretive on Monday about who would be on his team Tuesday night.
"I'm keeping my plans to myself," said the 48-year-old former Mali player. A lot of players deserve a chance on this team.
I make hard choices for every match. I've got two or three teams in mind.
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