The Uganda Cranes have officially unveiled their provisional squad for the upcoming TotalEnergies CHAN 2024. The team, selected by head coach Paul Joseph Put, includes 36 players, featuring a mix of seasoned professionals and promising young talents. Notable inclusions include James Bogere, Brian Ijara, and Isima Magala, fresh off guiding the Uganda U17 team to AFCON qualification.
The squad, consisting of four goalkeepers, twelve defenders, ten midfielders, and ten forwards, will begin non-residential training on January 10, 2025. After the initial assessment phase, the squad will be trimmed down to 26 players by January 13. Coach Put emphasized the importance of giving younger players an opportunity to experience higher-level competition, with the likes of Bogere, Ijara, and Magala given a chance to prove themselves on the senior stage.
The team will engage in two international friendlies ahead of the tournament, which is set to take place from February 1 to 28, 2025, in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. The Cranes are hoping to build momentum and fine-tune their preparations as they aim to make a strong showing in the prestigious continental competition.
Here’s the full provisional 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)
