Uganda Cranes Squad for AFCON 2027 Qualifiers
Paul Put has nailed his colours to the mast.
The Uganda Cranes head coach has named a 28-man squad for a packed September–October window that will shape the early course of their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign and test the depth of his new-look group.
Uganda open their AFCON 2027 qualifiers away to Tunisia on September 24, then return home to host Libya on September 29. Once the competitive dust settles, two friendlies against DR Congo on October 2 and 5 will complete a demanding four-game stretch between September 21 and October 6.
Onyango back to anchor the spine
The headline name is familiar. Denis Onyango, the veteran goalkeeper from South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns, is back to anchor the side with his experience and authority. He is joined in the goalkeeping department by David Lukwago of SC Villa and Hannington Ssebwalunyo of NEC FC, both pushing to prove they can handle the step up.
In front of them, Put has gone for a blend of Europe-based and domestic defenders. Toby Sibbick (Burton Albion) and Nathan Asiimwe (Salford City) bring English football’s intensity, while Herbert Bockhorn (FC Magdeburg) adds a Bundesliga background. Aziz Kayondo (Slovan Liberec) and Rogers Torach (CS Constantine) stretch the defensive line across Europe and North Africa.
Local mainstays are there too: Herbert Achayi (KCCA FC), Geofrey Lubanga Kene (SC Villa), Hillary Mukundane (Vipers SC) and Gavin Kizito (Nairobi United), along with Jonathan Odongo (UPPC), all competing for places in what looks a crowded back line.
Midfield balance and attacking depth
Put’s midfield options hint at a side built to compete physically but still move the ball. Baba Alhassan (Mardin 1996 Spor) and Noble Okello (Lexington SC) offer size and presence, while Kenneth Semakula (Al Ittihad Alexandria) brings the rhythm of Egyptian football.
Allan Oyirwoth (Dunfermline FC) and Joseph Seremba (Nairobi United) round out a compact midfield group, leaving plenty of responsibility on their shoulders to link defence and attack in hostile environments like Tunis.
Up front, the list is longer and more aggressive. James Bogere (AGF), Travis Mutyaba (CS Sfaxien), Denis Omedi (Gor Mahia), Rogers Mato (Hearts), Hassan Mubiru (Azam), Sadam Masereka (Colorado Springs Switchbacks), Steven Mukwala (Al Nasr), Richard Basangwa (NEC FC) and Frank Ssebufu (SC Villa) headline a deep forward unit.
One forward was listed by FUFA only by his club, AS FAR of Morocco, with no name attached in the announcement – a rare oddity on an otherwise detailed squad sheet.
Big absences, clear message
For all the returning names, some omissions stand out just as sharply.
Put confirmed that Jordan Obita and Elio Capradossi miss out through injury. Captain Khalid Aucho, goalkeeper Salim Jamal, Uche Ikpeazu, John Paul Dembe, Bobosi Byaruhanga and Jude Ssemugabi are also absent from this window.
The Belgian coach pointed to clear reasons: some of those players are currently without clubs, others have only just completed transfers and lack minutes, while a few are still working back from long-term injuries and have not yet hit full match fitness.
The message, though, is not one of exile. Put stressed that the door remains open. Once those players regain fitness, playing time and sharpness, they can fight their way back into the national team picture.
For now, the stage belongs to this 28-man group. Four matches, two qualifiers, two friendlies. Tunisia away, Libya at home, then a double test against DR Congo. By the time October 6 arrives, Uganda will know a lot more about whether this evolving Cranes side is ready to fly into AFCON 2027 on its own terms.
