Sports
Onyango Returns as Uganda Cranes Announce Squad for FIFA World Cup Qualifiers
Uganda has named its senior national football team squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier matches against Mozambique and Somalia, with a major headline being the return of veteran goalkeeper Denis Masinde Onyango.
The announcement was made on Wednesday by head coach Paul Put, who unveiled a 28-man squad that will take on Mozambique on September 5 and Somalia on September 8 at the Mandela National Stadium in Kampala.
The Cranes are regrouping swiftly after bowing out at the quarterfinal stage of the ongoing CAF African Nations Championship, turning their full attention to the World Cup campaign.
Onyango, who features for South African Premier League champions Mamelodi Sundowns, had retired from international duty in April 2021 after Uganda failed to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations. His decision to return is seen as a timely boost to Uganda’s qualification hopes.
The squad features a blend of experienced campaigners and rising talents, reflecting Put’s strategy of building a competitive side that can challenge for a place at the global stage.
Uganda will be counting on home support at Namboole, with fans eager to see the Cranes begin their qualifiers on a strong note.
Notably, team captain Khalid Aucho, who recently transferred from Tanzania’s Young Africans SC to Singida Black Stars FC, has not been called up.
Following is the full squad:
Goalkeepers: Denis Onyango (Mamelodi Sundowns, South Africa), Salim Magoola Omar (Richards Bay FC, South Africa), Alionzi Nafian (Defence Forces FC, Ethiopia), Joel Mutakubwa (Bidco FC, Uganda)
Defenders: Elvis Bwomono (IBV Vestmannaeyjar, Iceland), Herbert Bockhorn (FC Maydeburg, Germany), Elio Caprodossi (FC Universitatea Cluj, Romania), Rogers Torach (Vipers SC, Uganda), Toby Sibbick (Burton Albion FC, England), Hilary Mukundane (Vipers SC), Jordan Obita (Hibernian SC), Kayondo Aziizi (FC Slovan Liberec, Czech Republic), Achayi Herbert (KCCA FC), Gavin Kizito (KCCA FC)
Midfielders: Ronald Ssekiganda (APR FC), Kenneth Semakula (Al Arabi SC, Kuwait), Joel Sserunjogi (KCCA FC), Abdu Karim Watambala (Vipers SC), Travis Mutyaba (CS Sfaxien, Tunisia)
Forwards: Denis Omedi (APR FC, Rwanda), Allan Okello (Vipers SC, Uganda), Joseph Mpande (PVF Cand FC, Vietnam), Rogers Mato (FK Vardar, Macedonia), Regan Mpande (SC Villa, Uganda), Jude Ssemugabi (Kitara FC), John Paul Dembe (AL Hackens, Sweden), Patrick Jonah Kakande (SC Villa, Uganda), Ikpeazu Uchechukwu (St. Johnstone FC, Scotland).
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