The Uganda Cranes have discovered their group-stage opponents for the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) following the official draw ceremony held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) on Wednesday.

Uganda has been placed in Group C, where they will compete against Niger, Guinea, and the two yet-to-be-determined teams areQ1 and Q2.

These final two spots will be decided through qualifiers involving Algeria, South Africa, Comoros, Egypt, Gambia, and Gabon.

Meanwhile, hosts Kenya have been seeded in Group A, alongside Morocco, Angola, DR Congo, and Zambia.

Tanzania, on the other hand, will compete in Group B against Madagascar, Mauritania, Burkina Faso, and the Central African Republic.

Defending champions Senegal will battle it out in Group D alongside Congo Brazzaville, Sudan, and Nigeria.

With the groups now set, teams will begin their preparations for what promises to be an exciting CHAN 2024 tournament that is scheduled for August 2025.

Full Draw

Group A

• Kenya
• Morocco
• Angola
• DR Congo
• Zambia

Group B

• Tanzania
• Madagascar
• Mauritania
• Burkina Faso
• Central African Republic

Group C

• Uganda
• Niger
• Guinea
• Q2
• Q1

Group D

• Senegal
• Congo
• Sudan
• Nigeria

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has confirmed that the draw for the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) will be conducted by three East African football legends.

Hassan Wasswa (Uganda), Mrisho Ngasa (Tanzania), and McDonald Mariga (Kenya) will preside over the draw, which is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, January 15, at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre in Nairobi.

The draw will determine the groupings and knockout pathway for the tournament, which is set to kick off next month.

The competition will be co-hosted by three East African nations: Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania.

The selection of these three football icons symbolizes the unity and collaboration among the host nations in organizing the tournament.

Meanwhile, reports indicate that Kenya may not be ready to host the opening game as initially planned.

The draw is expected to provide further clarity on the matter, including confirming which country will host the final.

Two international friendlies are being lined up for Uganda Cranes ahead of the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) that kicks off next month.

Head coach Paul Put confirmed the development after Monday’s training at the MTN Omondi Stadium, Lugogo.

“We first had contact with Senegal but they have kept us waiting. So we will play Niger in Rwanda on 18th January,” Put told the press.

Put also said there has been communication with the Democratic Republic of Congo who are currently having their camp in Dubai for another buildup next weekend but it has not been confirmed.

“We also contacted DR Congo who are in Dubai. I have been talking to FUFA and if we can have visas ready on time, we may play this game on 24th January. But these are things I cannot commit 100% because it is the President and his committee to decide, I can only propose.”

Uganda will be playing at CHAN for the seventh time but the Cranes have never progressed beyond the group stage.

The tournament to be hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda will be played between February 1-28.

Meanwhile, the draws for the tournament are scheduled to be held tomorrow (Wednesday, January 15) in Nirobi, Kenya.

Uganda Cranes provisional squad starts residential training on Monday, 13th January 2025 ahead of next month’s Championship of African Nations (CHAN).

Head coach Paul Put trimmed the. squad to 26 after three days of rigorous non-residential training as the team continues to shape ahead of the tournament dedicated to home-based players.

The squad will camp at Cranes Paradise Hotel, Kisasi to continue with preparations.

Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania will host CHAN 2024 from February 1-28, 2025 with the draw event to be conducted on Wednesday (January 15) in Nairobi, Kenya

Full Squad

Goalkeepers: Hannington Ssebwalunyo (NEC FC), Mutwalibi Mugolofa (KCCA FC), Joel Mutakubwa (BUL FC), Crispas Kusiima (Kitara FC)

Defenders: Gavin Kizito Mugweri (KCCA FC), Gideon Odongo (NEC FC), Derrick Ndahiro (Vipers SC), Enock Walusimbi (URA FC), Arnold Odong (SC Villa), Rogers Torach (Vipers SC), Hillary Mukundane (Vipers SC), James Begisa Penza (URA FC), Nicholas Mwere (BUL FC), Paul Patrick Mbowa (Vipers SC)

Midfielders: Enock Ssebagala (NEC FC), Joel Sserunjogi (KCCA FC), Emmanuel Wasswa (Express FC), Ronald Ssekiganda (SC Villa), Allan Okello (Vipers SC), Saidi Mayanja (KCCA FC), Patrick Jonah Kakande (SC Villa), Isima

Forwards: Arafat Usama (KCCA FC), Jude Ssemugabi (Kitara FC), Shafik Nana Kwikiriza (KCCA FC), Paul Mucureezi (NEC FC), Isaac Ogwang (Police FC), James Bogere (Masaka Sunshine FC), Charles Lwanga (SC Villa)

Uganda Cranes head coach, Paul Put, has added KCCA FC’s Usama Arafat Kiza to the provisional squad for the 2024 CHAN tournament.

The development was confirmed on Thursday, January 9, 2024, through FUFA’s official social media channels.

“Usama Arafat Kiza of KCCA FC has been added to the Uganda Cranes provisional CHAN squad that starts training on Friday morning,” FUFA announced.

The head coach had initially named a 36-man provisional squad on Wednesday, January 8, at FUFA House in Mengo.

However, Hakim Kiwanuka and Denis Omedi, who were originally included, were later unveiled by Rwanda’s APR, ruling them out of the tournament.

Usama’s inclusion fills the gap left by their departure and adds further competition for places in the final 26-man squad.

The final squad will be announced on Monday, after which the selected players will enter a residential training camp at Cranes Paradise Hotel in Kisasi.

Uganda Cranes forwards Denis Omedi and Hakim Kiwanuka have completed their transfer to Rwandan football club APR.

The exciting duo has penned a two-year employment contract that will keep them at the club until 2027.

Before being unveiled, the duo attended APR’s game as they took on Marine FC at the Umuganda Stadium in Rwanda.

Both played in the game as Kitara beat SC Villa in a 1-0 dramatic victory at Royals Park, Butema on Tuesday.

The two forwards will be joining their counterpart Taddeo Lwanga who also plays for the Army side.

Omedi and Kiwanuka are both part of the 36-man Uganda Cranes provisional squad summoned ahead of the 2024 CHAN.

Uganda Cranes head coach Paul Put has unveiled a 36-man provisional squad ahead of the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN).

The announcement was made during a press conference held at FUFA House in Mengo on Wednesday, January 8, 2025.

The squad comprises four goalkeepers, twelve defenders, ten midfielders, and ten forwards.

The team is set to begin non-residential training on Friday, January 10, which will run until Sunday, January 12. Coach Put stated that these three days of training will be used for further assessment and to trim the squad to 26 players.

The final 26-man squad will enter the residential camp at Cranes Paradise Hotel in Kisasi on Monday, January 13, to intensify preparations for the tournament.

Full Squad

Goalkeepers

Hannington Ssebwalunyo (NEC FC), Mutwalibi Mugolofa (KCCA FC), Joel Mutakubwa (BUL FC), Crispas Kusiima (Kitara FC)

Defenders

Gavin Kizito Mugweri (KCCA FC), Gideon Odongo (NEC FC), Moses Aliro (URA FC), Derrick Ndahiro (Vipers SC), Enock Walusimbi (URA FC), Arnold Odong (SC Villa), Rogers Torach (Vipers SC), Hillary Mukundane (Vipers SC), Walter Ochora (BUL FC), James Begisa Penza (URA FC), Nicholas Mwere (BUL FC), Paul Patrick Mbowa (Vipers SC)

Midfielders

Joel Sserunjogi (KCCA FC), Enock Ssebagala (NEC FC), Ibrahim Thembo (NEC FC), Emmanuel Wasswa (Express FC), Ronald Ssekiganda (SC Villa), Allan Okello (Vipers SC), Saidi Mayanja (KCCA FC), Brian Ijara (KCCA FC), Patrick Jonah Kakande (SC Villa), Isima Magala Mulala (Masaka Sunshine FC)

Forwards

Hakim Kiwanuka (SC Villa, Milton Karisa (Vipers SC), Denis Omedi (Kitara FC)Jude Ssemugabi (Kitara FC), Shafik Nana Kwikiriza (KCCA FC), Paul Mucureezi (NEC FC), Isaac Ogwang (Police FC), James Bogere (Masaka Sunshine FC), Sadat Happy Anaku (KCCA FC), Charles Lwanga (SC Villa)

• Event: CHAN 2024
• Dates: 1^st to 28^th February 2025
• Hosts: Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania

The Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) will conduct the draw for the African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 tournament on 31^st December 2024 at the CAF headquarters in Cairo, Egypt.

The three hosts Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania are seeded as A1, B1 and C1 respectively.

The other countries are seeded based on the performance from the last three editions of the tournament (2018, 2020 and 2022).

Pot 1 has two countries Morocco and the reigning champions, Senegal.

Pot 2 has five countries; Guinea, Zambia, Madagascar, Rwanda and Sudan.

The third pot has the remaining eight countries; Mauritania, Niger, Congo, Angola, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, the Central African Republic and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Democratic Republic of Congo has two titles (2009 and 2016); same as Morocco (2018 and 2020). Tunisia (2011), Libya (2014) and Senegal (2022) have won it one time apiece.

This will be the first time that the CHAN tournament which exclusively accommodates players featuring in the domestic leagues will be co-hosted by three countries.

The tournament will kick off on 1^st February and climax by 28^th February 2025 in the three East African countries of Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

The host venues are Mandela National Stadium – Namboole (45,000), Nyayo National Stadium (18,000), Moi International Sports Centre – Kasarani (55,000), Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium (60,000) and Amaan Stadium (20,000).

This tournament is being used by CAF as a precursor to the AFCON 2027 tournament that will still be staged in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

• FT: Uganda 1-0 Burundi

Hakim Kiwanuka’s late goal secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory for Uganda against Burundi in the CHAN Qualifiers on Sunday at Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo.

The win ensured Uganda progressed with a 2-0 aggregate triumph, ending Burundi’s hopes of reaching the upcoming CHAN finals.

Uganda began the match on a shaky note, with Burundi’s attacking line putting them under early pressure.

The visitors attempted to break through with intricate passing, but Uganda’s defence stood resolute.

A moment of miscommunication in Uganda’s backline nearly proved costly when goalkeeper Joel Mutakubwa handled the ball outside the area, but the resulting free kick was blocked by the wall.

As the first half neared its end, Allan Okello created a golden chance for Isaac Ogwang, but the forward’s finish lacked precision.

Early in the second half, Saidi Mayanja came close to breaking the deadlock, only to see his close-range effort deflected for a corner.

Moments later, Patrick Kakande fouled Kevin Icoyitunge at the edge of the box, but the subsequent free kick was cleared to safety.

In the 80th minute, substitute Ivan Ahimbisibwe nearly put Uganda ahead, but his rebound effort skimmed off the side netting.

Milton Karisa also came close when his cutback set up Saidi Mayanja, whose flick was securely saved by Burundi’s goalkeeper, Dieudonne Ntibahezwa.

The breakthrough finally came in the dying moments. Kiwanuka’s low drive took a deflection and nestled into the back of the net, sparking celebrations.

Uganda XI: Joel Mutakubwa (GK), Gavin Kizito, Gideon Odongo, Rogers Torach, Hillary Mukundane, Joel Sserunjogi, Saidi Mayanja, Isaac Ogwang, Allan Okello (C), Milton Karisa, Jude Ssemugabi.

• HT: Uganda 0-0 Burundi

It remains goalless at halftime between Uganda and Burundi in the CHAN Qualifiers clash at Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo, on Sunday.

Despite head coach Paul Put making three changes to the starting lineup, bringing in Gideon Odongo, Joel Sserunjogi, and Milton Karisa. Uganda struggled to gain control early on, with Burundi’s frontline pushing them onto the defensive.

Burundi attempted to unlock Uganda’s backline with intricate short passes, but the hosts stood resilient.

However, a lack of communication in Uganda’s defence nearly proved costly when goalkeeper Joel Mutakubwa handled the ball outside the area.

Fortunately, the resulting free kick was blocked by the wall.

Jude Ssemugabi, a tireless presence upfront, had several opportunities to break the deadlock but failed to convert any into goals.

Uganda will need to sharpen their attacking efforts in the second half to overcome Burundi’s well-organized defence and secure a crucial victory.

Uganda Starting XI: Joel Mutakubwa (GK), Gavin Kizito, Gideon Odongo, Rogers Torach, Hillary Mukundane, Joel Sserunjogi, Saidi Mayanja, Isaac Ogwang, Allan Okello (C), Milton Karisa, Jude Ssemugabi.