As Uganda Cranes gear up for the upcoming AFCON 2025 qualifying doubleheader against South Sudan, only a handful of players from the squad that faced the Bright Stars in the 2021 AFCON qualifiers four years ago remain.
Since then, several players have retired, a new generation has emerged, and the team has seen multiple head coach changes, from Johnathan McKinstry to the current coach, Paul Joseph Put.
The last time these two neighbors clashed was in 2020 during the 2021 AFCON qualifiers, with McKinstry leading the Cranes.
Fast forward to 2024, and Put is tasked with guiding a largely revamped squad.
Notably, former captain Denis Onyango and midfielder Michael Azira have since retired from international duty.
Emmanuel Okwi, though still active, has struggled to maintain form over the past few years and is not part of the current squad.
While defenders Elvis Bwomono and Joseph Ochaya were part of McKinstry’s 2020 squad, they were recently in Put’s plans but have missed out on this call-up.
Despite the changes, six players from that 2020 squad remain in the current Cranes setup, ready to face South Sudan once again.
Key Surviving Players:
Halid Lwaliwa: Lwaliwa was the hero in the first leg of the 2021 AFCON qualifiers, scoring the only goal in a 1-0 victory at Kitende. He remains an important figure in the current squad.
Khalid Aucho: Now the captain of the Cranes, Aucho will be eager to avenge his red card in the second leg of the 2020 clash, where South Sudan secured their first-ever win over Uganda with a 1-0 result in Kenya.
Derrick Nsibambi and Timothy Awany: Both players started in Uganda’s first-leg win in 2020 and have retained their places in the current squad under Put.
Allan Okello: A standout performer who was brought into the starting lineup in the second leg of the 2020 qualifiers, Okello remains a key asset for Uganda in the upcoming fixtures.
Charles Lukwago: Though he didn’t feature prominently in the 2020 games, Lukwago was part of the squad and continues to provide depth in the goalkeeping department.
This matchup presents an opportunity for Uganda to maintain its dominance over South Sudan, with the Cranes boasting a historical edge in previous encounters.
However, with key survivors from both sides returning, it will be an intriguing contest as both nations battle for a spot in AFCON 2025.
