Two South African-based players highlight Uganda squad to play Bafana Bafana

Uganda Cranes coach Paul Put has a relatively strong squad to play South Africa and Congo respectively in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Cranes have been put in Group K alongside Bafana Bafana, Bright Stars of South Sudan, and Congo, whereby two top teams will get their ticket to compete in Morocco late next year.

The East Africa nation play South Africa in Orlando Stadium on Friday before hosting Congo at Namboole Stadium in Kampala four days later.

South African-based players in the squad

Among the players who are in the Cranes squad include Golden Arrows custodian Ismail Watenga and Charles Lukwago who is turning out for Venda FC. The latter was excluded in the most recent 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifiers against Algeria and Botswana respectively.

Apart from the aforementioned South African-based duo, Lecco defender Elio Capradossi has been included in the team. He is joined by Calvin Kabuye, a former Sweden U23 player who plays for Sandvikens IF.

However, injuries have locked out Herbert Bokone, Mubiru Uche, Moses Opondo, Allan Kyambadde, and Herbert Ssewankambo.

Uganda Cranes squad to play South Africa

Goalkeepers: Isima Watenga (Golden Arrows FC, South Africa), Nafian Alionzi (Defence Forces FC, Ethiopia), Charles Lukwago (Venda FC, South Africa)

Defenders: Elvis Bwomono (St. Mirren FC, Scotland), James Begisa (URA FC, Uganda), Isaac Muleme (Viktoria Zizkov, Czech Republic), Abdu Aziizi Kayondo (FC Sloven Liberec, Czech Republic), Joseph Ochaya (Al Mokawloon Al Arab SC, Egypt), Bevis Mugabi (Famagusta Anorthosis, Greece), Elio Capradossi (Unattached), Halid Lwaliwa (Al Ain, Saudi Arabia), Arnold Odongo (SC Villa, Uganda), Timothy Awany (FC Ashdod, Israel), Kenneth Semakula (Club Africaine, Tunisia)

Midfielders: Khalid Aucho (Yanga Africans, Tanzania), Bobosi Byaruhanga (Austin II FC, USA), Joel Sserunjogi (KCCA FC, Uganda), Ronald Ssekiganda (SC Villa, Uganda), Travis Mutyaba (Zamalek SC, Egypt), Saidi Mayanja (KCCA FC, Uganda)

Attackers: Denis Omedi (Kitara FC, Uganda), Jude Ssemugabi (Kitara FC, Uganda), Joackiam Ojera (Al Mokawloon Al Arab Sc, Uganda), Muhammad Shaban (Al Hilal Benghazi, Libya), Steven Mukwala (Simba SC, Tanzania), Calvin Kabuye (Sandvikens IF, Sweden), Allan Okello (Vipers SC, Uganda), Rogers Mato (FC Brera Strumica, North Macedonia)