Uganda Cranes head coach Paul Joseph Put faced an unexpected twist on Wednesday after summoning Denis Omedi and Hakim Kiwanuka for the CHAN 2024 provisional squad.
By the end of the day, both players were ruled out after sealing transfers to Rwandan giants APR FC, making them ineligible for the CHAN tournament, which is reserved for players in local leagues.
Omedi, a personal favorite of Put, has often been called up for national duty despite inconsistent club performances.
His ability to deliver for Uganda Cranes kept him in the coach’s plans, even as he struggled to score in the first round of the Uganda Premier League.
The Belgian tactician defended his decision to summon Omedi, stating during the press conference, “Omedi is my friend and he always steps up for the national team.”
Both Omedi and Kiwanuka signed two-year contracts with APR on Wednesday, joining fellow Ugandan Taddeo Lwanga.
While Uganda prepares to co-host CHAN in February, the duo will feature in the ongoing Rwanda Premier League, as Rwanda is not participating in this year’s tournament.
Put’s 36-man squad, announced Wednesday morning, will be trimmed to 26 players by Sunday, with Omedi and Kiwanuka already out of contention.
