The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) has confirmed that Uganda Cranes goalkeeper Ismail Bin Watenga will undergo surgery for a knee injury sustained during the friendly match against The Gambia on Monday game that ended one all.
According to FUFA, Watenga has been diagnosed with a right knee ACL injury, which will require surgical intervention upon his return from camp.
Watenga suffered a serious knee injury in the 53rd minute of the match, prompting his substitution by Joel Mutakubwa. The injury is expected to keep him sidelined for an extended period, with a typical recovery time of around one year. This unfortunate diagnosis rules him out of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), scheduled to kick off in December in Morocco. The news is a significant blow to the Uganda Cranes, given Watenga’s crucial role in the team’s qualification for the tournament.
Uganda was pitted in Group C alongside Nigeria, Tunisia, and Tanzania.
The Cranes are set to play their first match on December 23, 2025, against Tunisia at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Olympic Annex Stadium in Rabat.
