Paul puts faith in foreign based players for Uganda Cranes World Cup qualifiers
The team will enter camp on Friday, March 14th, before traveling to Egypt, where foreign-based players will join the squad for final preparations.
Uganda Cranes head coach, Paul Joseph Put, has announced a 26-man squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Mozambique and Guinea. The team will face Mozambique in Cairo, Egypt, on Thursday, March 20th, before hosting Guinea four days later at the Mandela National Stadium in Kampala.
Among the notable inclusions is Toby Peter Sibbick, the Wigan Athletic defender, who returns to the Cranes setup for the first time since March 2024. The English-born Ugandan, who made his debut for Uganda in a 2-2 draw against Ghana in Morocco last year, has been in impressive form in the League One and brings much-needed experience to the defence.
Sibbick, born in Isleworth to a Ugandan mother and an English father, has expressed his pride in representing Uganda and is eager to contribute to the national team’s World Cup aspirations.
In addition to Sibbick, Libya-based striker Shaban Muhammad also makes a return to the squad after being sidelined for the last four Cranes games due to injury. Muhammad, a key figure for Uganda in previous campaigns, will add attacking depth to the team as they aim for vital points in the qualifiers.
Other fresh faces include Enock Ssebagala, who earns his first call-up following strong performances with NEC FC in the Uganda Premier League. Midfielders Abdul Karim Watambala of Vipers and Rogers Torach also make their return to the fold after some time away from the team.
Coach Put confirmed the absence of defender Elio Capraddosi, who was ruled out due to an injury picked up at his club, Citadella AC in Italy. Despite this setback, the squad is brimming with talent and ready to push for qualification to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Cranes are currently sitting fifth in Group G with six points, tied with Guinea and Botswana. Algeria and Mozambique lead the group with nine points, while Somalia remains winless. With crucial fixtures ahead, Uganda will be hoping to close the gap on the top teams and continue their push for World Cup qualification.
The team will enter camp on Friday, March 14th, before traveling to Egypt, where foreign-based players will join the squad for final preparations.
As the Cranes prepare for these important qualifiers, the squad is hopeful that their blend of experienced players and exciting new talent will help secure the much-needed victories to keep their World Cup dreams alive.
Full Squad:
Goalkeepers:
Isima Watenga (Golden Arrows, South Africa)
Alionzi Nafian (Mechal, Ethiopia)
Joel Mutakubwa (BUL FC)
Defenders:
Elvis Bwomono (St. Mirren, Scotland)
Gavin Kizito (KCCA FC)
Bevis Mugabi (Anorthosis Famagusta, Cyprus)
Timothy Awany (Ashdod FC, Israel)
Toby Sibbick (Wigan Athletic, England)
Rogers Torach (Vipers SC)
Aziz Kayondo (Slovan Liberec, Czech Republic)
Isaac Muleme (Viktoria Zizkov, Czech Republic)
Midfielders:
Ronald Ssekiganda (SC Villa)
Kenneth Semakula (Club Africain, Tunisia)
Khalid Aucho (Young Africans, Tanzania)
Enock Ssebagala (NEC FC, Uganda)
Abdul Karim Watambala (Vipers SC)
Allan Okello (Vipers SC)
Travis Mutyaba (Bordeaux, France)
Forwards:
Denis Omedi (APR FC, Rwanda)
Hakim Kiwanuka (APR FC, Rwanda)
Jude Ssemugabi (Kitara FC)
Rogers Mato (FK Vardar, North Macedonia)
Steven Mukwala (Simba SC, Tanzania)
Muhammad Shaban (Al Anwar, Libya)
Calvin Kabuye (Mjallby AIF, Sweden)
Patrick Jonah Kakande (SC Villa)
