Uganda Cranes head coach Joseph Paul Put has called up BUL FC defender Ronald Otti and Bright Stars forward Nelson Senkatuka to join the squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers next month.
The duo replaces defender Bevis Mugabi and striker Uchechukwu Ikpeazu Mubiru, who have withdrawn from the matches against Botswana and Algeria.
Bevis Mugabi, who plays for Motherwell FC in Scotland, informed Uganda Cranes coach Paul Put that he would not be available for the qualifiers, according to FUFA Executive Committee member in charge of marketing and communications, Rogers Byamukama. Additionally, Ikpeazu cited health challenges as the reason for his unavailability, preventing him from making his much-anticipated debut.
Coach Put has therefore summoned Ronald Otti from BUL FC to replace Mugabi and Nelson Ssenkatuka from Soltilo Bright Stars FC to fill the gap left by Mubiru.
The Uganda Cranes squad will enter residential camp on Thursday, May 30, 2024, at Cranes Paradise Hotel in Kisasi. All locally based players will join the camp tomorrow.
Foreign-based players Halidi Lwaliwa, Nafian Alionzi, Timothy Awany, and Isima Watenga, who are already in the country, will join the camp on Thursday. Italy-based defender Elio Capradossi is expected to arrive later in the day and will head straight to camp.
The first training session is scheduled for Friday, May 31, 2024, at 4:30 PM EAT at Mandela National Stadium (Outside Pitch).
Uganda will face Botswana on June 7, 2024, and Algeria on June 10, 2024. Both games are set to kick off at 7:00 PM EAT at Mandela National Stadium.
Uganda Cranes Squad
Goalkeepers:
- Isima Bid Rashid Watenga (Lamontville Golden Arrows FC, South Africa)
- Nafian Alionzi (Defence Forces FC, Ethiopia)
- Crispus Kusiima (Kitara FC, Uganda)
- Braddy Jeans Wokorach (SC Villa, Uganda)
Defenders:
- Elvis Bwomono (St. Mirren FC, Scotland)
- Kenneth Semakula (SC Villa, Uganda)
- Isaac Muleme (FK Victoria Zizkov, Czech Republic)
- Abdu Aziizi Kayondo (MFK Vyskov, Czech Republic)
- Nicholas Mwere (BUL FC, Uganda)
- Ronald Otti (BUL FC, Uganda)
- Timothy Denis Awany (FC Ashdod, Israel)
- Elio Capradossi (Calcio Lecco FC, Italy)
- Halidi Lwaliwa (FK Bregainica Stip, North Macedonia)
Midfielders:
- Khalid Aucho (Yanga SC, Tanzania)
- Bobosi Byaruhanga (Austin FC, USA)
- Ronald Ssekiganda (SC Villa, Uganda)
- Joel Sserunjogi (KCCA FC, Uganda)
- Ibrahim Kasule (New York Red Bull II, USA)
- Travis Mutyaba (Zamalek SC, Egypt)
Forwards:
- Steven Dese Mukwala (Asante Kotoko FC, Ghana)
- Nelson Ssenkatuka (Soltilo Bright Stars FC, Uganda)
- Denis Omedi (Kitara FC, Uganda)
- Muhammad Shaban (KCCA FC, Uganda)
- Fahad Aziz Bayo (MFK Vyskov, Czech Republic)
- Rogers Kassim Mato (Brera Strumica)
- Patrick Jonah Kakande (SC Villa, Uganda)
- Umar Lutalo (SC Villa, Uganda)
- Allan Okello (Vipers SC, Uganda)
