Paul Put handed new Cranes deal until 2028

Fufa end speculation by extending Belgian coach Paul Put's tenure to 2028, as the Cranes enter final preparations for Afcon 2025 in Morocco. Fufa have renewed Uganda Cranes head coach Paul Put's contract until 2028, ending weeks of uncertainty over the Belgian's future. The announcement was made on Thursday by Fufa CEO Edgar Watson, who said the federation had moved to "bring stability" ahead of next month's Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in Morocco. "We have noticed a lot of anxiety from some sectors of the public in recent weeks, with rumours and speculation concerning the head coach," Watson told a news conference in Kampala. "I'm delighted to announce that Fufa has agreed with coach Paul Put on a new contract for the next two and a half years, starting with immediate effect." Put, 68, was appointed in November 2023 with the mandate to guide Uganda back to Afcon and improve the Cranes' World Cup qualification standing. Under his stewardship, the team sealed qualification for Afcon 2025 and impressed in competitive fixtures, winning 12 of 18 competitive games for a 67 percent success rate. Shortly after signing the new deal, Put named his 28-man squad for two international friendlies in Morocco -- against Chad on November 15 and hosts Morocco on November 19 -- before the team's Group C Afcon fixtures against Tunisia, Tanzania and Nigeria. The coach retained experienced names such as goalkeeper Denis Onyango and midfielder Khalid Aucho, while exciting forward Allan Okello leads the domestic cast. Europe-based defenders Elio Capradossi and Jordan Obita lead a foreign-based legion that also sees Thailand-based Melyvn Lorenzen, who has previously flirted with the Cranes, named on the team together with another new name in Baba Al Hassan, who plies his trade in Romania. Uganda begin their Afcon campaign against Tunisia on December 23, before facing Tanzania on December 27 and Nigeria on December 30. Uganda Cranes international friendlies Nov 15: Uganda vs Chad Nov 19: Morocco vs Uganda Afcon 2025 Uganda's Group C matches Dec 23: Tunisia vs Uganda Dec 27: Uganda vs Tanzania Dec 30: Uganda vs Nigeria Uganda Cranes squad Goalkeepers: Salim Omar Magoola (Richards Bay - S. Africa), Denis Onyango (Mamelodi Sundowns - S. Africa), Tom Ikara (BUL - Uganda), Denis Kiggundu (Vipers SC - Uganda) Defenders: Toby Sibbick (Burton Albion - England), Elio Capodossi (FC Universitatea Cluj - Romania), Jordan Obita (Hibernian - Scotland), Rogers Torach (Vipers SC - Uganda), Hilary Mukundane (Vipers SC - Uganda), Aziz Kayondo (FC Slovan Liberec - Czech Rep.), Herbert Achayi (KCCA - Uganda), Timothy Awany (FC Ashdod - Israel), Moses Alio (URA - Uganda) Midfielders: Kenneth Semakula (Al-Adalah - Saudi Arabia), Khalid Aucho (Singida Black Stars SC - Tanzania), Allan Oyirwoth (New England Revolution - USA), Baba Al Hassan (FCV Farul Constanta - Romania), Bobosi Byaruhanga (Oakland Roots SC - USA) Forwards: Allan Okello (Vipers SC - Uganda), Melyvn Lorenzen (Muangthong Utd - Thailand), Travis Mutyaba (CS Sfaxien - Tunisia), Joseph Mpande (PVF Cand - Vietnam), Rogers Mato (FK Vardar - Macedonia), Reagan Mpande (SC Villa - Uganda), Jude Ssemugabi (Jamus - S. Sudan), Uchechukwu Ikpeazu (St Johnstone - Scotland), Steven Mukwala (Simba SC - Tanzania), Shafik Kwikiriza (KCCA - Uganda)