2023 AFCON Qualifiers

June 18

Uganda v Algeria

October 4

Niger v Uganda

Former KCCA FC defender Allan Enyou is one of the new faces in the Cranes team that is preparing for the forthcoming AFCON Qualifier against Algeria.

Enyou who joined Elite Falcons, a second Division League side under the UAE Football Association later this year has received his first call up to the national team.

The Danish-based midfielder Moses Opondo is another player that returned to the national setup.

The duo is part of the provisional squad of 42 players comprising both local and foreign-based. The local-based players will also take part in the Eastern regional tour match that will be played on May 30 at Irundu primary school playground in Buyende district.

Cranes will play Algeria on June 18 in Cameroon as they wait on the refurbishment of Namboole Stadium to be completed.

This decision came after FUFA inspected Mandela National Stadium on April 24th and confirmed that the Stadium was not ready to host the qualifiers that resume in June.

Uganda is third in Group F with four points just like second-placed Tanzania. Algeria who are top with 12 points already qualified for the finals while Niger is bottom with two points.

The two final games of the qualifiers will also determine coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic’s stay with the Cranes.

Against Tanzania away in Dar-es-Salaam, Rogers Mato’s curved 90th-minute winner in the return leg gave him another opportunity to continue to steer the team.

The Uganda Cranes Squad

Goalkeepers – Salim Jamal Magoola (Richards Bay), Charles Lukwago (St George), Isma Watenga (Marumo Gallants), Alionzi Nafian (URA), Joel Mutakubwa (Gaddafi)

Defenders – Gavin Kizito (Al Ittihad), James Begisa (URA), Ashraf Mandela (Vipers), Kenneth Ssemakula (SC Villa), Aziz Kayondo (CD Leganes), Ibrahim Juma (CD Leganes), Umar Lutalo (SC Villa), Derrick Ndahiro (URA), Isa Mubiru (Vipers), Halid Lwaliwa (Bregalnica), Musa Ramathan (MFK Vyskov), Allan Enyou (CD Leganes), Rogers Torach (Vipers), Hillary Mukundane (Vipers), Gift Fred (SC Villa), Geoffrey Wasswa (KCCA)

Midfielders – Siraje Sentamu (Vipers), George Kasonko (BUL), Said Mayanja (KCCA), Bobosi Byaruhanga (FC Austin), Khalid Aucho (Yanga), Bright Anukani (Vipers), Moses Waiswa (KCCA), Allan Okello (KCCA), Farouk Miya (Caykur Rizespor), Milton Karisa (Vipers), Moses Opondo (Horsens), Isma Mugulusi (Makedonikos), Travis Mutyaba (SC Villa), Joseph Ochaya (Al Makwloon)

Forwards – Rogers Mato (KCCA), Rogers Mugisha (UPDF), Shariph Kimbowa (Wakiso Giants), Emmanuel Okwi (Erbil), Richard Basangwa (Wadi Degla), Fahad Bayo (MFK Vyskov), Charles Bbaale (SC Villa)