The Uganda Crane’s head coach, Paul Put, has said defender Bevis Mugabi and striker Uchechukwu Ikpeazu Mubiru will not be part of the Crane squad summoned for the FIFA 2026 World Cup Qualifiers against Botswana and Algeria.
This development was confirmed on Wednesday, May 29, 2024, during a press conference at the FUFA Complex addressed by Rogers Byamukama, FUFA Executive Committee member and Executive Secretary in charge of Marketing and Communication.
According to Byamukama, Coach Put has summoned BUL FC defender Ronald Otti to fill in for Mugabi, while Nelson Ssenkatuka of Soltilo Bright Stars FC has replaced Mubiru.
“Mugabi, who plays for Motherwell FC in Scotland, has informed Coach Put that he will be unavailable for the games scheduled for next month. On the other hand, Ikpeazu informed the coach that he is having health problems and will be unable to make his long-awaited debut,” Byamukama said.
He also stated that the Uganda Cranes squad will begin residential camp on Thursday, May 30, 2024, at the Cranes Paradise Hotel in Kisasi.
Byamukama added that Halidi Lwaliwa, Timothy Awany, and Isima Watenga, who are already in the country, will be the first foreign players to report to camp on Thursday morning, and Italy-based defender Elio Capradossi will arrive in Uganda at 11 a.m. on Thursday and report directly to camp.
Uganda Cranes will take on Botswana on June 7, 2024, and Algeria on June 10, 2024, with both games kicking off at 7:00 p.m. EAT at Mandela National Stadium.
Uganda Cranes Squad
Goalkeepers
Isima Bid, Rashid Watenga, Nafian Alionzi, Crispus Kusiima, and Braddy Jeans Wokorach.
Defenders
Elvis Bwomono, Kenneth Semakula, Isaac Muleme, Abdu Aziizi Kayondo, Nicholas Mwere, Ronald Otti, Timothy Denis Awany, Capradossi Elio, and Halidi Lwaliwa.
Midfielders
Khalid Aucho, Bobosi Byaruhanga, Ronald Ssekiganda, Joel Sserunjogi, Ibrahim Kasule, and Travis Mutyaba.
Forwards
Steven Dese Mukwala, Nelson Ssenkatuka, Denis Omedi, Muhammad Shaban, Fahad Aziz Bayo, Rogers Kassim Mato, Patrick Jonah Kakande, and Umar Lutalo (SC Villa, Ugan) and Allan Okello.
