Uganda Cranes head coach Paul Put sounds very confident ahead of the AFCON qualifiers’ encounter scheduled for Friday, September 6, at Orlando Stadium.

According to the gaffer, the team is energised and has a positive spirit ahead of the Bafana Bafana clash happening in a while.

“I love what I am seeing so far. The energy, teamwork, and positive spirit. These will be crucial in this fight,” the gaffer stated.

“I have been to 5 AFCON finals, and I want to add to that number with this team. This group has what it takes to qualify, but we have to work for it,” he added.

“We have to fight for the right to be in Morocco next year, and the fight starts this Friday against South Africa,” he concluded.

Uganda is in Group K with South Africa, Congo, and neighbours South Sudan.

The two top teams in each group at the end of the qualification matches will confirm spots in the final (AFCON) tournament.

Uganda aims at ending the frustrating run that has seen the team miss out on the past two AFCON editions.

Uganda Cranes captain Khalid Aucho has sent a strong message to the fans calling upon them to support the team.

On Friday, September 6, 2024, Uganda Cranes will face South Africa in the first game of the upcoming AFCON Qualifiers.

The two countries will lock horns in a highly anticipated game in Johannesburg at Orlando Stadium, and Aucho believes that the fans’ support will have a positive impact on the performance.

“I call upon the fans that can make it to the stadiums so that they rally behind the boys (Uganda Cranes),” he stated.

“I know that the boys will be so proud and energetic thus throwing their bodies on the line,” he added.

Aucho missed the previous two Uganda Cranes’ games due to injury, but the Young Africans’ midfielder is excited about his return to the fold.

“I am happy to be back to the team. When I reached the camp I discovered that everyone is fit and ready for the game,”

“I believe that they are focused and ready to offer Ugandans the best as we take on South Africa in a few days to come,” he concluded.

• Result: Uganda Cranes 4-0 Northern Region Select

Uganda Cranes registered a well-deserved 4-0 victory against Northern Region Select in a highly intended encounter on Thursday evening at Booma Playground in Apac District.

Henry Kitegenyi, Ivan Ahimbisibwe, Joseph Akandwanaho, and Moses Aliro scored Uganda Cranes’ four goals.

Kitegenyi broke the deadlock in the 16th minute after capitalizing on Isma Mugulusi’s cutback from the right flank.

Mbarara City’s forward nearly doubled the score but his powerful effort went inches above the frame in the 20th minute.

Despite the strong attack from Uganda Cranes, they went into the break with just a 1-0 advantage in the one-sided show in front of a loud crowd.

Five minutes into the second half, Ahimbisibwe doubled the Cranes’ lead thanks to the well-constructed team effort.

Three minutes later, Akadwanaho made it three as the fans went on their feet to applaud the Cranes’ quick feet in the front park.

In the 57th minute, Aliro put the icing on the cake with a solo attack from the centre before he sent the defenders to sleep.

It was a great moment for the huge crowd that had a chance to interact with the stars shortly after the final whistle.

Uganda Cranes Starting XI:

Derrick Ochan (GK), Gavin Kizito, Steven Namaisi, Farouk Katongole, Samuel Kato, Fiat Cleophus, Isma Mugulusi, John Kisolo, Henry Kitegenyi, Ibrahim Ssengoba, Hakim Mutebi

Uganda Cranes head coach Paul Put has named a strong 28-man squad ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nation Qualifiers against South Africa and Congo.

The Cranes will take on South Africa on Friday, October 6 at Orlando Stadium before playing Congo Brazzaville on Monday, September 9 at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole.

According to the gaffer, defenders Jenneth Semakula and Halid Lwaliwa will not be part of the team for the first game due to Visa issues.

The team is expected to travel to South Africa on Saturday, August 31 to prepare for the opening game ahead of the doubleheader.

The summoning has seen youngster Calvin Kabuye, a former Sweden U-23 player join the squad. His inclusion in the team ignites competition for the goal poachers.

Uganda Cranes is in Group K alongside South Africa, Congo Brazzaville and South Sudan. The team will be out to fight for the top two positions in the group to qualify for the 2025 AFCON tournament.

The Uganda Cranes Squad:

Goalkeepers – Isma Watenga (Golden Arrows), Nafian Alionzi (Defence Forces), Charles Lukwago (Venda)

Defenders – Elvis Bwomono (St Mirren), James Begisa (URA), Isaac Muleme (Victoria Zizkov), Joseph Ochaya (Al Mokawlon), Aziz Kayondo (Slovan Liberec), Bevis Mugabi (Famagusta), Halid Lwaliwa (Al Ain), Arnold Odongo (SC Villa), Timothy Awany (FC Ashdod), Kenneth Ssemakula (Clun Africain)

Midfielders – Khalid Aucho (Yanga), Bobosi Byaruhanga (Austin II), Joel Sserunjogi (KCCA), Ronald Ssekiganda (SC Villa), Travis Mutyaba (Zamalek), Said Mayanja (KCCA)

Forwards – Denis Omedi (Kitara), Jude Ssemugabi (Kitara), Joachim Ojera (Al Mokawlon), Rogers Mato (Braga Strumica), Steven Mukwala (Simba), Shaban Muhammad (Al Hilal), Calvin Kabuye (Sandvikens), Allan Okello (Vipers)

Uganda Cranes captain Emmanuel Okwi has joined Rwandan side Kiyovu SC in the ongoing transfer window.

Okwi put a pen on a one-year employment contract that will keep him at the club until 2025.

The experienced forward returns to a club where he featured in the 2021/22 season before going to Iraq.

In the earlier mentioned campaign, Okwi helped Kiyovu SC finish the second one point behind the eventual champions APR.

Okwi had different suitors such as Musanze FC (Rwanda), Kagera Sugar (Tanzania), and Tusker (Kenya), but he chose to return to Kiyovu.

He has played for different clubs at the continent, but his current assignment is to use his experience to get Kiyovu to better standards.

CAF has finally confirmed the official fixture of Uganda Cranes ahead of the Africa Cup Qualifiers that will be happening later in the year.

Following the draw of the 2025 CAF Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, Ugandans have been waiting to know exactly when their national team will be in action.

According to the released fixture, Uganda Cranes will start the qualifiers at home and still conclude the journey with an away game.

Uganda Cranes will be on a hunt for a slot in the finals after missing out on the previous two editions at the continental stage.

A summary of Uganda Cranes Fixture

• Monday September 02: vs South Africa (away)
• Tuesday September 10: vs Congo Brazzaville (home)
• Monday October 07: vs South Sudan (home)
• Tuesday October 15: vs South Sudan (away)
• Monday November 11: vs South Africa (home)
• Tuesday November 19: vs Congo (away)

MTN Uganda has officially announced Jackson Ssewanyana alias Uncle Money as the Uganda Cranes cheerleader.

This was confirmed during the press conference held today Friday at the MTN Uganda HQ in Kampala.

To win the tight and tough campaign, Uncle Money collected 44,465 votes before he was called to the pulpit to pick his accolade.

Uncle Money expressed his thanks and gratitude for being trusted as the brand ambassador of two big brands, Uganda Cranes and MTN Uganda.

“This is unbelievable and am so happy to be declared the official cheerleader of Uganda Cranes,” he said before adding; “It was not an easy journey but am so thankful to the Ugandans who have trusted me with the mantle to be their official cheerleader.”

“I promise that this is just the start of a new beginning where am positive that we shall achieve a lot of things with MTN and Uganda Cranes. I thank MTN for believing in the common otherwise they would have picked any celeb out there to take on this position.”

“I call upon all fans to support the beautiful game but with discipline. Football should put us together rather than separate us. I know together with MTN we shall hold a number of campaigns to teach fans better ways of supporting our national team in several creative but fun ways.”

MTN Uganda Chief Marketing Officer Sen Somdev and FUFA Vice President in charge of Marketing Rogers Byamukama also attended the colourful occasion.

Somdev called upon the fans to be good ambassadors of the beautiful game and that can be achieved by supporting in a disciplined and organised manner.

“Today has put a smile on my face to see fans of Uganda Cranes sit in one room with joy. We started this campaign sometime back and am glad we have crowned it on a high note. As MTN, we promise to move with Uganda as we seek to achieve unmeasurable glory,” he said.

“MTN’s primary responsibility is to bring back the passion of  Uganda Cranes and football in this country. So this event does not climax our target but rather starts the journey because there is a lot of excitement football because I can not wait to go back to Namboole,” he added.

“I request you to all promise me that we shall support Uganda Cranes through all seasons. I want this madness and fire to keep growing so that we attract more fans to rally behind the boys.”

The first runners-up of the campaign were Team Dressers who gathered 38,286 votes ahead of the second runners-up Kamodo who as well collected 25,234 votes and each of the winners was presented a cheque worth UGX 5,000,000.

Uganda Cranes left-back Aziz Kayondo has joined FC Slovan Liberec a side in Czech Republic’s top flight.

Kayondo put pen to paper on a four-year employment contract that will keep him at the club until July of 2028.

Kayondo has previously been featuring for MFK Vyskov, a side in the Czech Republic’s second tier, where he was deployed on loan from Leganes in Spain.

The left-back has also been at Hapoel Tel Aviv in Israel before joining MFK Vyskov, but his stay there was short-lived.

About Slovan Liberec

It was founded 66 years ago. It has previously won three league titles and one domestic cup.

In the previous campaign, Slovan Liberec finished 9th on the 16-team log of the Czech Republic top tier.

Uganda Cranes was drawn in Group K alongside South Africa, South Sudan and Congo Brazzaville ahead of the 2025 AFCON Qualifiers.

After the draws, Uganda Cranes head coach Paul Put deemed the group fair and playable.

“I think it is a fair group. There are no easy games but I think it is fair and playable,” Put stated.

“Of course, you can not underestimate anything but it’s a fair group. I hope my players keep in shape to be ready for the first games in September,” he added.

“The selection of the final 23 players will not be easy. I am expecting the players to be focused and have the right mindset to prepare for the games.”

Uganda will be aiming to return to the final AFCON championship since 2019 after failing on the last two attempts.

Paul Put’s charges will have to first travel to South Africa in September before they later host Congo in the six-game journey.

The draws for the qualifiers for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) that will be hosted in Morocco have been conducted.

Uganda Cranes who appeared in back-to-back final tournaments in 2017 and 2019 have been drawn into Group K.

The Cranes will compete against their neighbours in the north South Sudan, Congo Brazzaville and South Africa.

It should be noted that Uganda did not qualify for the last AFCON and will be eager to make amends with the team now hosting their home matches at the renovated Mandela National Stadium, Namboole.

The qualifying matches will kick off in September 2024 playing South Africa away from home and Congo at home.

In October, the Cranes with play South Sudan, first at home then travel to Juba before concluding the qualifiers in November, first hosting South Africa and later travelling to Braville for the ultimate game against Congo.

The exact dates for the matches will be shared in due course.