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Coach Paul Put believes the Uganda Cranes' return to Namboole Stadium will provide a significant boost for the team that has been missing. 

Speaking at FUFA House in Mengo on Thursday, Put announced a 28-man squad for the upcoming double-header against Botswana and Algeria on June 7th and 10th at the refurbished facility.

“Uganda Cranes returning to Namboole is a big motivation for us because the fans have missed the chance to watch the team. I believe the players will also be motivated to play at home again,” he stated.

The Cranes will play at Namboole for the first time since 2019 when they secured a 2-0 victory over Malawi in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Since then, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) banned the facility from hosting international matches due to its poor state and the Cranes resorted to playing at St Mary’s Stadium Kitende.

The Kitende facility suffered the same fate as Namboole, with the FUFA moving home games to countries like Egypt, Morocco, and Cameroon, after yet another CAF ban.

In the summoned squad, newly-crowned league champions SC Villa have five players; forward Patrick Kakande, Umar Lutalo, skipper Kenneth Ssemakula, Ronald Ssekiganda and goalkeeper Jeans Braddy Wokorach.

Kitara’s duo of striker Dennis Omedi and goalkeeper Crispus Kusiima have also been considered following their impressive performances last season. 

In other call-ups, KCCA’s Joel Sserunjogi who was arguably the best defensive midfielder in the league despite playing his debut season in the top flight also made the cut just like his club colleague Muhammad Shaban who finished as last season’s top scorer with 17 goals.

Golden Arrows goalkeeper Ismail Watenga who has had a good show in the South African top flight has also made the team.

Port Vale striker Uchechukwu Mubiru Ikpeazu also returns to the fold although on all previous occasions he’s been summoned, he has not turned up.

Calcio Lecco FC’s Italian-born defender Capradossi Elio also has a chance to make his Cranes debut just like BUL FC left-back Nicholas Mwere. Vipers’ Allan Okello also makes a return to the senior team.

Uganda is placed in Group G that is topped by Algeria with six points. Botswana, Guinea, Uganda and Mozambique come second, third and fourth with three points each respectively. Somalia is bottom with no points.

The team is expected to enter a residential camp on May 30.

Goalkeepers
Isima Bid Rashid Watenga (Lamontville Golden Arrows), Nafian Alionzi (Defence Forces FC), Crispus Kusiima (Kitara), Braddy Jeans Wokorach (SC Villa).

Defenders
Elvis Bwomono (St. Mirren), Kenneth Semakula (SC Villa), Isaac Muleme (FK Viktoria Zizkov), Abdu Aziizi Kayondo (MFK Vyskov), Nicholas Mwere (BUL), Bevis Mugabi (Motherwell), Timothy Denis Awany (FC Ashdod), Capradossi Elio (Calcio Lecco FC), Halidi Lwaliwa (FK Bregalnica Stip).

Midfielders
Khalid Aucho (Yanga SC), Bobosi Byaruhanga (Austin FC), Ronald Ssekiganda (SC Villa,) Joel Sserunjogi (KCCA FC), Ibrahim Kasule (New York Red Bull II), Travis Mutyaba (Zamalek SC).

Forwards
Steven Dese Mukwala (Asante Kotoko FC), Uchechukwu Mubiru Ikpeazu (Port Vale), Denis Omedi (Kitara), Muhammad Shaban (KCCA), Fahad Aziz Bayo (MFK Vyskov), Rogers Kassim Mato (Brera Strumica), Patrick Jonah Kakande (SC Villa), Umar Lutalo (SC Villa), Allan Okello (Vipers).