The Masaka Sunshine FC teenager is one of the most notable inclusions in Head Coach Paul Joseph Put’s 30-man provisional squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Kampala, Uganda: Uganda U17 forward James Bogere has earned his first-ever senior national team call-up after his standout performances at the FIFA U17 World Cup in Qatar, where he scored twice against France and Canada.
The Masaka Sunshine FC teenager is one of the most notable inclusions in Head Coach Paul Joseph Put’s 30-man provisional squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Coach Put announced the squad on Thursday, maintaining the core of players who have featured prominently in recent Cranes assignments, including AFCON and World Cup qualifiers, as well as the 2024 CHAN tournament.
The squad also features Alhassan Baba and Melvyn Lorenzen, both of whom made their debuts last month in international friendlies against Morocco and Chad.
Eight players from the StarTimes Uganda Premier League have been selected, with Vipers SC and KCCA FC providing the largest contingent. SC Villa contributes two players, while Masaka Sunshine FC is represented by Bogere.
Goalkeeper Alionzi Nafian makes a return to the national team fold, while Timothy Awany and Lorenzen are included despite earlier doubts about their availability. Notably missing from the squad are forwards Muhammad Shaban, Jonah Kakande, Allan Oyirwoth and defender Gavin Kizito.
The Uganda Cranes are scheduled to depart for Morocco on Sunday evening for an 11-day training camp in Casablanca. During the camp, the team will play two international friendlies as part of preparations for AFCON 2025, set to run from December 21, 2025 to January 18, 2026.
FULL PROVISIONAL SQUAD – AFCON 2025
Goalkeepers: Magoola Salim Omar (Richards Bay, RSA), Denis Onyango (Mamelodi Sundowns, RSA), Alionzi Nafian (Defense Forces, Ethiopia), Charles Lukwago (KCCA FC).
Defenders: Toby Sibbick (Burton Albion, England), Elio Caprodossi (Universitatea Cluj, Romania), Jordan Obita (Hibernian, Scotland), Rogers Torach (Vipers SC), Abdu Azizi Kayondo (Slovan Liberec, Czech Republic), Isaac Mulembe (Viktoria Zizkov, Czech Republic), Awany Timothy (Ashdod, Israel), David Owori (SC Villa), Hilary Mukundane (Vipers SC).
Midfielders: Kenneth Semakula (Al-Adalah, Saudi Arabia), Khalid Aucho (Singida Black Stars, Tanzania), Ronald Ssekiganda (APR FC, Rwanda), Bobosi Byaruhanga (Oakland Roots, USA), Alhassan Baba (FCSB, Romania).
Forwards: Allan Okello (Vipers SC), Melvyn Lorenzen (Muangthong United, Thailand), Travis Mutyaba (CS Sfaxien, Tunisia), Denis Omedi (APR FC), Rogers Mato (FK Vardar, North Macedonia), Reagan Mpande (SC Villa), Jude Ssemugabi (Jamus FC, South Sudan), Uche Ikpeazu (St. Johnstone, Scotland), Steven Mukwala (Simba SC), James Bogere (Masaka Sunshine FC), Ivan Ahimbisibwe (KCCA FC), Shafik Nana Kwikiriza (KCCA FC).
If you would like your article/opinion to be published on Uganda’s most authoritative news platform, send your submission on: [email protected]. You can also follow DailyExpress on WhatsApp and on Twitter (X) for realtime updates.
