KCCA and Vipers have stamped their authority on the Uganda Cranes’ 36-man provisional squad for the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), unveiled today by head coach Paul Joseph Put at the FUFA Complex in Mengo.
The squad, featuring a mix of seasoned campaigners and emerging talents, includes the largest representation from KCCA with seven players, followed by Vipers, contributing six players.
From KCCA, the selected players include goalkeeper Mutwalibi Mugolofa, defender Gavin Kizito, midfielders Joel Sserunjogi, Saidi Mayanja, and Brian Ijara, as well as forwards Shakik Nana Kwikiriza and Sadat Anaku.
Vipers contributes defenders Derrick Ndahiro, Rogers Torach, Hillary Mukundane, and Paul Patrick Mbowa, midfielder Allan Okello, and forward Milton Karisa.
NEC, currently second in the Uganda Premier League standings, has five players in the squad, including goalkeeper Hannington Ssebwalunyo and midfielder Enock Ssebagala.
The dominance of KCCA, Vipers, and NEC in the provisional squad reflects their impressive performances in the Uganda Premier League, with the three clubs occupying the top three positions.
Vipers lead the table, followed closely by NEC in second and KCCA in third.
Defending Uganda Premier League champions SC Villa also have five players included in the squad, while BUL has four representatives.
With the 36-man provisional squad now selected, The Cranes will begin training on January 10th at Cranes Paradise Hotel in Kisaasi.
The first three days will focus on assessing the players before trimming the squad to 26.
The team will also engage in two international friendlies on January 17th and 24th, crucial in fine-tuning preparations for the tournament, set to run from February 1 to 28 in Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania.
