Uganda Cranes bank on fresh faces, few veterans for 2025 AFCON

Uganda Cranes head coach Paul Put has opted for a bold but risky approach in naming his 28-man squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, leaning heavily on fresh faces while retaining only a handful of players with prior AFCON experience.

As the tournament kicks off on Sunday in Morocco, Uganda’s eighth appearance at the continental showpiece will be defined by how quickly an inexperienced group adapts to elite African competition.

Only five players in the squad, former captain and goalkeeper Denis Onyango, goalkeeper Salim Jamal, midfielder Khalid Aucho, and defenders Timothy Awany and Isaac Muleme have previously featured at AFCON finals.

Their presence places a significant leadership burden on a small core of veterans tasked with guiding 24 debutants through a demanding Group C that includes three-time champions Nigeria, North African giants Tunisia and CECAFA rivals Tanzania.

Onyango stands out as the squad’s most accomplished figure. The Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper is entering his third AFCON tournament, having represented Uganda in 2017 and 2019.

His extensive continental pedigree, including CAF Champions League success at club level, makes him a natural on-field leader and a stabilising influence in what is otherwise an inexperienced squad.

For Jamal, Aucho, Awany and Muleme, AFCON 2025 marks a return to a stage they last graced in Egypt in 2019. Uganda’s failure to qualify for the 2021 and 2023 editions has created a generational gap that is evident in the current squad composition.

That absence has forced the national team into a rebuild, accelerating the promotion of players whose AFCON exposure is limited to qualifiers and regional competitions.

The rest of the squad blends domestic performers with emerging talents who have impressed in recent engagements, including AFCON and 2026 World Cup qualifiers, the African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 which Uganda co-hosted and youth international tournaments.

This pathway-based selection reflects Put’s long-term vision, but it also raises questions about short-term competitiveness at Africa’s highest level.

Creative midfielders Allan Okello and Travis Mutyaba symbolise both promise and pressure. Long regarded as Uganda’s brightest prospects, the duo now faces a defining test. AFCON 2025 offers them an opportunity to translate domestic and regional brilliance into consistent performances on the continental stage something Ugandan fans have waited to see.

Defensively, the emerging partnership of Elio Caprodossi and Jordan Obita has shown promise in recent matches, earning them places in the final squad. Their ability to handle the physicality and tactical discipline of AFCON opponents will be closely scrutinised.

Behind them, Vipers SC teammates Hillary Mukundane and Rogers Torach provide reliable alternatives, having built a strong understanding during CHAN 2024, where Uganda reached a historic round of 16.

In attack, teenage forward James Bogere represents the squad’s most intriguing gamble. Fresh from a breakout performance at the U17 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, his inclusion signals a willingness to trust youth on a major stage. How Put manages his minutes and expectations could be crucial.

The responsibility for goals, however, is likely to fall on Rogers Mato, whose form for North Macedonian side Vardar has been impressive. Supported by options such as Denis Omedi, Ivan Ahimbisibwe, Steven Mukwala, Jude Ssemugabi and veteran Melvyn Lorenzen, Uganda possesses depth up front, though converting chances against elite opposition remains an open question.

Uganda will begin their Group C campaign on Tuesday, before facing Tanzania on December 27 and concluding against Nigeria on December 30. Progression to the knockout stages will demand tactical discipline, mental resilience and swift cohesion from a squad learning on the job. For the Cranes, AFCON 2025 is not just a tournament it is a measuring stick for a new generation and a test of whether potential can be fast-tracked into performance.

CRANES FINAL AFCON SQAUD

Goalkeepers: S. Magoola, D. Onyango, N. Alionzi

Defenders: T. Sibbick, E. Caprodossi, J. Obita, R. Torach, K. Semakula, A. Azizi Kayondo, I. Muleme, T. Awany, H. Mukundane.

Midfielders: K. Aucho, R. Ssekiganda, B. Byaruhanga, A. Baba, A. Okello, T. Mutyaba.

Forwards: M. Lorenzen, D. Omedi, R. Mato, R. Mpande, J. Ssemugabi, U. Ikpeazu, S. Mukwala, J. Bogere, I. Ahimbisibwe, S. Kwikiriza.