The Uganda Cranes are set for their toughest test yet under head coach Paul Joseph Put as they prepare to face continental heavyweights Cameroon and Gambia in Marrakech this June.
The Belgian tactician has named a balanced 28-man squad featuring 12 domestic-based players and 16 foreign professionals, blending experience with emerging talent for these crucial preparatory matches.
Veteran defender Nicholas Wakiro Wadada makes his return to anchor the backline, while URA FC's in-form striker Ivan Ahimbisibwe earns his first senior call-up after finishing as Uganda Premier League's second-top scorer. The squad sees exciting young talents like Bordeaux's Travis Mutyaba and New England Revolution's Allan Oyirwoth joining established stars, including Simba SC's Steven Mukwala and St Mirren's Elvis Bwomono.
With the local contingent departing on June 2nd and foreign-based players joining directly in Morocco, Put will have limited time to integrate his squad before facing five-time AFCON champions Cameroon on June 6th. The match against Gambia three days later presents a different challenge against Africa's rising football nation. These friendlies serve as vital preparation ahead of World Cup qualifiers later this year.
Football analysts will be watching how Put balances his lineup between testing new combinations and fielding competitive sides. Particular interest surrounds the attacking trio formation and whether domestic-based players like Ahimbisibwe and KCCA's Shafik Nana Kwikiriza can translate their club form to international level.
