Paul Joseph Put was once again on the right side when it came to his substitution choices as the Uganda Cranes defeated Congo Brazzaville 2-0 in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole on Monday.
Jude Ssemugabi and Allan Okello were introduced at the stroke of halftime and in the latter stages of the game, respectively and combined for Cranes’ second goal adding to Aziz Kayondo’s strike of the 21st minute.
The Kitara striker picked up the Vipers’ midfielder down the right whose low cross with the outside of his boot found the former well positioned in the box to who calmly slot it home on his debut in the 85th minute.
In the aftermath of the game, Put noted the importance of both players and the other members of the squad.
“We are trying to build a strong team and we continue to identify the best players possible so both Okello and Ssemugabi are important players,” he responded to the media.
“Everyone here has a role to play but only time differs and we all saw how significant they were when their time came.”
“I know the potential of Okello but we have to handle him patiently because we all know what we can achieve when he is fully at his best,” Put noted.
“For Ssemugabi he is such a determined player and you’d see it right from his club, and when we summoned him, he was training tirelessly and that’s how you prepare for such a moment.”
“He was a bit nervous at the start but later grew in confidence and I am happy for him,” the Belgian tactician highlighted.
During the World Cup qualifiers, the 68-year-old subbed on Muhammad Shaban and Denis Omedi before the latter assisted the former’s for the Cranes to edge Botswana 1-0 at Namboole in June.
