International Friendly

Tuesday

At 7pm

Uganda v Ghana

Uganda’s priority will be damage control when they take on Ghana in their second friendly match today at Stade Grande Marrakech in Morocco.

They will need to restore some pride following their 4-0 embarrassment by Comoros last Friday. If Cranes were taught anything in the tie against Comoros, is that they have to improve in defence, among other areas.

The defensive character previously used under Milutin 'Micho' Sredojevic is one of the things coach Paul Put will have to embrace.

Put believes they lacked coordination against Comoros but against Ghana, they will try to step up

“We are still trying to build a team and some of these players have not played together. I believe with time, the cohesion will be great and I have no doubt, they will improve,” Put said.

Ghana lost 2-1 to Nigeria in Morocco and this was Nigeria's first victory over their West African rivals since 2006.

Coach Otto Addo who returned for a second spell, expects a tough encounter against Uganda.

“Yeah, we have Uganda on Tuesday and the boys I think played well but if they think it will be an easy game, then they are wrong. Uganda is very, very good. I watched them a little bit before now, I have to go deeper. They have good players, we have to have a good plan if we want to win this game. I do not see us as favourites; it will be an even game. For me the most important thing is to get options and get solutions for the upcoming games so these friendly matches are very, very important for us to know how they play and how they can adapt and take it to the World Cup Qualifiers in June,” Addo told Ghana Football Association website.

Uganda is using these friendlies to prepare for the 2025 AFCON Qualifiers and the second stage of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers.

Forward Steven Mukwala who did not feature against Comoros, will be expected to be of help on which approach Ghana is likely to use. Mukwala has been one of the most on-form Ugandan players with Ghana’s side Asante Kotoko.

Hearts of Midlothian defender Toby Sibbick, and youngster Shafic Kakande who are other new faces in the team and didn’t feature in the tie against Comoros will be expected to make their debut against Ghana.