FIFA World Cup Qualifiers | Fixture

• Mozambique vs Uganda – 4 PM

Uganda Cranes is set to take Mozambique in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers at Cairo International Stadium on Thursday.

The Cranes seek to bounce back to winning ways after falling to Algeria 2-1 in their last encounter in World Cup Qualifiers.

Speaking ahead of the game, Uganda Cranes head coach Paul Joseph Put revealed that the spirit is quite okay.

“I think we all know when we make a call-up and we’re going to start the preparation that it’s always difficult to find all your players at the same time,” he said.

“So it’s not only for Uganda, it could be for other teams as well, but it’s not always easy. But I received the players little by little, and I think the spirit is quite okay,” he stated.

Analysing the team’s performance in training, Put was satisfied before highlighting the importance of the upcoming match.

“What I saw on the training ground, I was very happy about their performance, about their mentality, and I think it will be important for the game.”

“You know, if you want to be dominant in your ranking, every game is important. We know that Mozambique is three points ahead of us, so it is always an important game.”

Uganda Cranes lie fifth on the log with six points, three below Mozambique who are tied with Algeria.

Players in camp:

Goalkeepers: Watenga Isima, Alionzi Nafian, Mutakubwa Joel,

Defenders: Bwomono Elvis, Kizito Gavin, Mugabi Bevis, Awany Timothy, Sibbick Toby, Torach Rogers, Kayondo Abdu Aziizi, Muleme Isaac, Elio Capradossi,

Midfielders: Ssekiganda Ronald, Semakula Kenneth, Aucho Khalid, Ssebagala Enock, Watambala Abdu Karim,

Forwards: Okello Allan, Mutyaba Travis, Omedi Denis, Kiwanuka Hakim, Ssemugabi Jude, Mato Rogers, Mukwala Steven, Muhammad Shaban, Kabuye Calvin and Kakande Patrick.

EmmanuelOkwi has called it time on his international as he has officially announced his retirement from Uganda Cranes.

In a statement published on his social media platforms, Okwi expressed delight in representing Uganda.

“Representing my country on the international stage has been a fulfilling dream that came true. Donning the Uganda Cranes shirt always left a special feeling and captaining our team was an absolute privilege and honour,” the statement reads.

“An exciting new era for Ugandan football is coming up with East Africa hosting the CHAN later this August and subsequently the AFCON 2027 with many young footballers coming up. That is why, having cherished all those memories, I believe it is time for me to bow out and pave the way for our talented young football players.

“I will always hold close to my heart the love shown to me by all the fans and my special thanks go to my family, Coach Bobby Williamson who handed me a debut, all the successive coaches thereafter with whom we created memories together through thick and thin and of course the leadership at the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA).”

Okwi has 95 caps for Uganda Cranes since making his debut in 2009. He scored 28 goals in that period, 22 of which came in competitive games.

He featured at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, netting two goals in the matches against DR Congo and Zimbabwe.

He last featured for the team in 2023 during the qualifiers for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

He currently plays his club football at Rwandan side Kiyovu SC. He has in the past played for SC Villa, Simba SC, Young Africans, Etoile du Sahel, SonderjyskE, Al Ittihad, Al Zawra’a and Erbil SC.

Defender Elio Capradossi has officially joined the Uganda Cranes training camp in Cairo, Egypt, ahead of their FIFA World Cup qualifier against Mozambique.

The home-based squad departed for Egypt in the early hours of Saturday, while foreign-based players continue to arrive.

Capradossi’s inclusion strengthens the team’s defensive options as they prepare for the crucial match.

Notably, the defender was not part of the initial 26-man squad named by head coach Paul Put on Monday, March 10, 2025.

He will now compete with Bevis Mugabi, Timothy Awany, and Rogers Torach for a spot in the starting lineup.

Uganda currently sits fifth in Group G with six points, level with Guinea and Botswana, as they aim to improve their standing in the qualifiers.

The Squad

Goalkeepers: Isima Watenga (Golden Arrows FC, South Africa), Nafian Alionzi (Defence Forces FC, Ethiopia), Joel Mutakubwa (BUL FC, Uganda)

Defenders: Elvis Bwomono (St. Mirren FC, Scotland), Gavin Kizito (KCCA FC, Uganda), Isaac Muleme (Viktoria Zizkov, Czech Republic), Abdu Aziizi Kayondo (FC Sloven Liberec, Czech Republic, Bevis Mugabi (Famagusta Anorthosis, Greece), Timothy Awany (FC Ashdod, Israel), Kenneth Semakula (Club Africaine, Tunisia), Toby Shibbick (Wigan AFC, England), Rogers Torach (Vipers SC, Uganda)

Midfielders: Khalid Aucho (Yanga Africans, Tanzania), Ronald Ssekiganda (SC Villa, Uganda), Travis Mutyaba (Bordeaux, France), Allan Okello (Vipers SC, Uganda), Abdu Karim Watambala (Vipers SC, Uganda), Enock Ssebagala (NEC FC, Uganda)

Forwards: Denis Omedi (APR, Rwanda), Jude Ssemugabi (Kitara FC, Uganda), Muhammad Shaban (Al Anwar Al Abyar, Libya), Steven Mukwala (Simba SC, Tanzania), Calvin Kabuye (Mjallby IF, Sweden), Rogers Mato (FC Vardar, North Macedonia), Patrick Kakande (SC Villa, Uganda), Hakim Kiwanuka (APR FC, Rwanda)

Uganda Cranes have started a training camp in the Egyptian capital Cairo ahead of the World Cup Qualifiers against Mozambique.

The home-based player left for Egypt in the wee hours of Saturday while the foreign-based players will join from their respective clubs.

Uganda will face Mozambique in Cairo, Egypt on Thursday 20th March and host Guinea four days later at Mandela National Stadium in Namboole.

The Craanes are currently fifth in Group G on six points same as Guinea and Botswana, Algeria and Mozambique have nine each while Somalia is yet to pick a point.

The Squad

Goalkeepers: Isima Watenga (Golden Arrows FC, South Africa), Nafian Alionzi (Defence Forces FC, Ethiopia), Joel Mutakubwa (BUL FC, Uganda)

Defenders: Elvis Bwomono (St. Mirren FC, Scotland), Gavin Kizito (KCCA FC, Uganda), Isaac Muleme (Viktoria Zizkov, Czech Republic), Abdu Aziizi Kayondo (FC Sloven Liberec, Czech Republic, Bevis Mugabi (Famagusta Anorthosis, Greece), Timothy Awany (FC Ashdod, Israel), Kenneth Semakula (Club Africaine, Tunisia), Toby Shibbick (Wigan AFC, England), Rogers Torach (Vipers SC, Uganda)

Midfielders: Khalid Aucho (Yanga Africans, Tanzania), Ronald Ssekiganda (SC Villa, Uganda), Travis Mutyaba (Bordeaux, France), Allan Okello (Vipers SC, Uganda), Abdu Karim Watambala (Vipers SC, Uganda), Enock Ssebagala (NEC FC, Uganda)

Forwards: Denis Omedi (APR, Rwanda), Jude Ssemugabi (Kitara FC, Uganda), Muhammad Shaban (Al Anwar Al Abyar, Libya), Steven Mukwala (Simba SC, Tanzania), Calvin Kabuye (Mjallby IF, Sweden), Rogers Mato (FC Vardar, North Macedonia), Patrick Kakande (SC Villa, Uganda), Hakim Kiwanuka (APR FC, Rwanda)

In March 2024, Wigan Athletic’s Tobby Peter Sibbick earned his first call-up to the Uganda National Team. At the time, the Cranes were preparing for two international friendlies against Ghana and Comoros.

The defender went on to make his international debut during the two games that were played at Stade Grande Marrakech in Morocco.

Sibbik was born to a Ugandan mother and an English father and raised in West London. He came through the youth system with AFC Wimbledon, signing his first professional contract with the Dons back in August 2016.

Having made his senior bow against Peterborough United in April 2017, Sibbick’s real first-team breakthrough came in the 2018/19 Sky Bet League One season, where he made 31 appearances across all competitions.

Showcasing his versatility and clear quality, Sibbick’s eye-catching form earned him a move to the division above with Barnsley in the summer of 2019 where he made 18 Championship appearances in the first half of the 2019/20 campaign before his first stint (loan) with Hearts.

Despite a promising start at Heart, his time at Tynecastle was cut short by injury, illness, and a curtailed season due to Covid-19.

After a loan stint at Belgian side Oostende, and a return to Barnsley’s first team, Sibbick re-joined the Scottish Premiership side in January 2022 on a permanent transfer.

He soon established his place in the starting line-up and immortalised himself at Tynecastle in the 2022/23 campaign.

He made 41 appearances during his first full season in Scotland, playing in the UEFA Europa Conference League and helping Hearts finish fourth.

The 2023/24 season saw Sibbick feature 29 times and make his international debut for Uganda.

On Monday, March 10 Uganda Cranes’ head coach named the squad for the upcoming Fifa World Cup Qualifiers against Mozambique and Guinea. Sabbik was among the defenders named in the squad.

Quick Profile

• Name: Toby Peter Sibbick
• D.OB: 23 May 1999
• Position: Defender
• Current Club: Wigan Athletic

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has confirmed new dates for the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) after a postponement.

The tournament, originally scheduled for February 2024, will now take place from Saturday, August 2, to Friday, August 30, 2025.

The delay was due to the late completion of preparations. CAF has yet to confirm the specific venues for the opening match and the final.

However, with several months remaining until August, Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania have ample time to ensure a well-organized and vibrant tournament.

Meanwhile, Group C, which includes Uganda, Niger, and Guinea, still has two vacant slots yet to be filled.

Uganda Cranes head coach Paul Joseph Put has shared his thoughts on the team’s group following the AFCON draw held in Morocco on Monday, January 27.

Uganda was placed in Group C alongside African football powerhouses Nigeria and Tunisia, as well as regional rivals Tanzania.

The draw has sparked widespread debate within the football community, with many describing it as a challenging group.

Despite the tough opponents, Coach Put remains optimistic about his team’s chances and is confident they will rise to the occasion.

“At this stage, there are no small teams, and I believe we are ready to take on the teams we’ve been drawn against,” Put stated.

“I have always said that the stronger the wave, the stronger the ship. We are prepared for the challenge and will give our all to represent our nation with pride.”

The Uganda Cranes will begin their campaign against Tunisia on Tuesday, December 23, before facing neighbors Tanzania four days later.

The group stage will conclude with a high-stakes match against Nigeria on Tuesday, December 30.

With preparations underway, Coach Put and the Cranes are determined to make their mark in the upcoming continental tournament.

Uganda has discovered its opponents for the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) following the draw held in Morocco.

In a colorful ceremony, Uganda was placed in Group C alongside Nigeria, Tunisia, and neighbors Tanzania.

Nigeria, a three-time AFCON champion (1980, 1994, and 2013), is the group favorite, having been drawn from Pot One.

Tunisia, the 2004 AFCON winners, will also pose a significant challenge, especially given Uganda’s struggles against North African teams in the past.

The clash against Tanzania promises to be a thrilling East African derby, bringing added excitement for Ugandan fans during the continental tournament.

The top two teams from each group will advance to the Round of 16, with a third qualification spot available for the best third-placed teams.

The 2025 AFCON will run from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, in Morocco.

New York Red Bulls II have signed Uganda Cranes midfielder Steven Sserwadda to a two-year MLS NEXT Pro contract that runs until the end of the 2026 season.

“We are happy to have Steven [Sserwadda] back with the squad,” said Head Coach Ibrahim Sekagya as quoted by the club website.“He is a hardworking midfielder, who will be valuable in our system and will bring great experience to the team.”

Sserwadda has played three seasons with Red Bulls II, appearing in 41 matches, scoring four goals and tallying two assists. He scored his first career MLS NEXT Pro goal against Philadelphia Union II on April 21, 2024 and tallied his first career MLS NEXT Pro assist against Carolina Core FC on September 1, 2024. The midfielder debuted with the club in a USL Championship match against the Tampa Bay Rowdies on October 16, 2021.

Sserwadda has appeared in two matches with the New York Red Bulls logging 27 minutes. He made his Major League Soccer debut against Atlanta United FC on June 30 while on a short-term agreement from Red Bulls II.

Sserwadda has made four appearances with the Uganda Cranes. He made his senior national team debut on March 25, 2022 against Tajikistan. The midfielder previously featured for the country at the U-20 and U-23 level, participating in the 2021 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations leading Uganda to a second-place finish while scoring two goals.

Before moving to New York, the midfielder played for KCCA FC. He’s featured for both the first team and academy level for the club. He won the Ugandan Premier League, Uganda Cup, and CECAFA Clubs Cup while with the side.

New York Red Bulls II has extended Ibrahim Kasule’s stay at the club with a new two-year contract, keeping the Uganda Cranes midfielder until 2026.

Head coach Ibrahim Ssekagya expressed his excitement about continuing to work with Kasule.

“We are happy to have Kasule back with the squad. He is a talented midfielder with a great eye for goal, and we are excited to keep him at the club,” Ssekagya said.

Over the past two seasons, Kasule has been a key player for the team, featuring in 48 matches, scoring 22 goals, and providing eight assists.

Before moving to the United States for his professional career, he played for St. Lawrence University and Wakiso Giants.