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Uganda Cranes head coach Paul Put has unveiled the provisional squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Mozambique and Guinea.
The announcement was made on Monday morning at FUFA headquarters in Mengo ahead of the crucial doubleheader.
Uganda Cranes.
The squad sees the return of midfielder Karim Watambala and striker Muhammad Shaban, who last featured for Uganda in the 2024 AFCON qualifiers against Congo Brazzaville.
Shaban, who scored the winning goal in Uganda’s 1-0 victory over Botswana, will be keen to make an impact once again.
A notable inclusion is Wigan Athletic defender Toby Sibbick, who has been recalled after last playing for Uganda in a friendly against Ghana in March 2024.
The 24 year old versatile defender, capable of playing at both center back and right back, joins an already solid defensive unit featuring Bevis Mugabi, Timothy Awany and Gavin Kizito.
Toby Sibbick on the front in Uganda Cranes training.
This all comes in after defenders Elio Capradossi and Halid Lwaliwa scumming to injuries that have seen them return to action late.
Uganda will face Mozambique on March 20 at the Cairo International Stadium in Egypt before hosting Guinea on March 25 in Kampala.
These matches are vital for Uganda’s World Cup qualification hopes, as they currently sit fifth in Group G with six points, level with Botswana and Guinea, while Algeria leads with nine points.
With only the group winner securing direct qualification, Uganda must aim for maximum points to stay in contention.
The four best runners up across all groups will enter a mini-tournament, where the winner will advance to the FIFA Intercontinental Play-Offs.
Paul Put’s squad selection highlights a blend of experience and youth, with several key players expected to play pivotal roles in the upcoming fixtures.
Uganda Cranes fans will be hoping for strong performances as the team pushes for a historic FIFA World Cup appearance.
Full Provisional squad
Goal Keepers
Watenga Isima (Golden Arrows FC), Alionzi Nafian (Defence Forces FC), Mutakubwa Joel (BUL FC)
Defenders
Bwomono Elvis (St. Mirren FC), Kizito Gavin (KCCA FC), Mugabi Bevis (Anorthosis Famagusta FC), Awany Timothy (FC Ashdod), Sibbick Toby (Wigan Athletic FC, ) Rogers Torach (Vipers SC), Kayondo Abdu Aziz (FC Slovan Liberec), Muleme Isaac – (FK Viktoria Zizkov)
Midfielders
Ssekiganda Ronald (SC Villa), Semakula Kenneth (Club Africaine), Aucho Khalid (Young Africans), Ssebagala Enock (NEC FC), Watambala Abdu Karim (Vipers SC), Okello Allan (Vipers SC), Mutyaba Travis (Girondins Bordeaux)
Forwards
Omedi Denis (APR FC), Kiwanuha Hakim (APR FC), Ssemugabi Jude (Kitara FC) , Mato Rogers (FK Vardar), Mukwala Steven (Simba SC), Muhammad Shaban (Al Anwar Al Abyar SC), Kabuye Calvin (Mjällby AIF), Kakande Patrick (SC Villa)
