Aucho left out of Uganda Cranes squad for Comoros, Ghana friendlies

Uganda Cranes head coach Paul Put has named a squad of 26 players to embark on preparations for two friendly matches in Morocco against Comoros and Ghana.

The aforementioned games are scheduled to be played during the FIFA international window of March 18, 2024 and March 26, 2024.

Uganda Crabbed Captain Khalid Aucho, who had initially been summoned, has been left out after picking up an injury during continental football action with his Club Yanga Africans Sports Club in Tanzania.

Also, roving left back Abdul Aziizi Kayondo has also been sidelined from the squad due to injury, despite being in the coach’s initial plans.

Uganda Cranes will utilise the international break by playing two matches at the Stade Grande Marrakech in Morocco.

The first match will see Uganda take on Comoros on March 22, 2024, while the second fixture is on March 26, 2024.

The matches will be used to prepare the Uganda Cranes ahead of a busy international schedule this year, with AFCON 2025 qualifiers coming up and the FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign resuming.

The local-based players will converge immediately after the last game of the Uganda Premier League matches before the international break, while the foreign-based players will connect directly to Morocco from their respective clubs.

The squad

Goalkeepers     

Tom Ikara (BUL FC), Jack Komakech (Vipers SC), Giousue Bellagambi (Huddersfield Town)

Defenders

Kenneth Semakkula (SC Villa), Elvis Bwomono (St. Mirren FC), Bevis Mugabi (Motherwell), Toby Sibbick – (Hearts FC), Hallidi Lwaliwa (Bregalinca STIP), Timothy Awany (Ashdod), Denis Kaka Omony (Soltilo Bright Stars), Nicholas Mwere (BUL FC)

Midfielders

Allan Kyambadde (El Dakhleya), Ronald Ssekiganda (SC Villa), Ashraf Mugume (KCCA), Bobosi Byaruhanga (Austin), Moses Opondo (AC Horsens), Travis Mutyaba (Zamalek SC)

Forwards

Milton Karisa (Vipers SC), Denis Omedi (Kitara), Rogers Kassim Mato (Brera Strumica), Moses Aliro Okabo (URA), Steven Mukwala (Asante Kotoko), Mohamad Shaban (KCCA), Fahad Bayo (MFK Vyskov), Carl James Mujaguzi (Athlone Town AFC), Shafic Kakande (Soltilo Bright Stars)