Entebbe, Uganda: The Uganda Cranes Sunday departed for Francistown, Botswana, ahead of the decisive 2026 FIFA World Cup Group G qualifying match against the hosts scheduled for Thursday, October 9, 2025.
A contingent of seven locally based players, one foreign-based player, and team officials left Entebbe International Airport at 2:45 a.m., with the remaining foreign-based players expected to link up with the squad directly from their respective clubs abroad.
Uganda will face Botswana on October 9 before taking on Algeria away on October 14, two fixtures that will determine the Cranes’ fate in their quest for a maiden World Cup appearance.
The team that travelled from Entebbe includes Allan Okello, Rogers Torach, Hilary Mukundane, and Enock Ssebagala (all from Vipers SC), Gavin Kizito and Herbert Achayi (both from KCCA FC), Reagan Mpande (SC Villa), and Jude Ssemugabi (Jamus FC, South Sudan). FUFA Executive Committee Member Ronnie Kalema leads the delegation.
The goalkeeping lineup features Magoola Salim Omar (Richards Bay, South Africa), Denis Onyango (Mamelodi Sundowns, South Africa), and Alionzi Nafian (Defence Forces, Ethiopia).
Defensive options include Toby Sibbick (Burton Albion, England), Elio Capradossi (Universitatea Cluj, Romania), Jordan Obita (Hibernian, Scotland), Abdu Azizi Kayondo (FC Slovan Liberec, Czech Republic), alongside local defenders Rogers Torach, Hilary Mukundane, Herbert Achayi, and Gavin Kizito.
The midfield is anchored by Kenneth Semakula (Al Adalah, Saudi Arabia), Khalid Aucho (Singida United, Tanzania), Allan Oyirworth (New England Revolution, USA), Enock Ssebagala (Vipers SC), Ronald Ssekiganda (APR FC, Rwanda), and Bobosi Byaruhanga (Oakland Roots, USA).
Upfront, Allan Okello (Vipers SC) joins Travis Mutyaba (CS Sfaxien, Tunisia), Denis Omedi (APR FC, Rwanda), Steven Mukwala (Simba SC, Tanzania), Joseph Mpande (Vietnam), Rogers Mato (FK Vardar, Macedonia), Chukwu Uche Ikpeazu (St Johnstone, Scotland), Reagan Mpande (SC Villa), and Jude Ssemugabi (Jamus FC, South Sudan).
Uganda sits second in Group G with 15 points, four behind leaders Algeria. The Cranes must win both matches to keep alive their hopes of qualifying as one of the best second-placed teams in Africa.
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