Vipers midfielder Allan Okello could captain the Uganda Cranes at the upcoming African Nations Championship (CHAN) finals, head coach Paul Joseph Put has revealed.
Okello wore the armband during Uganda’s CHAN qualifier against Burundi in December, a decision that surprised many football stakeholders.
Names like his teammates Milton Karisa and Paul Mbowa, and URA’s Enock Walusimbi were considered strong candidates for the leadership role.
However, speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Put expressed confidence in Okello’s leadership qualities.
“Okello has the qualities of a leader and he’s a very important member of the squad,” Put said.
“You want to trust your best players in some capacity, and that obviously depends on what’s happening.
“He performed really well as captain against Burundi, and that gives him a chance.”
“But let’s see what happens during the tournament.”
“Largely, I want all my players to be leaders on and off the pitch.”
The Cranes will co-host CHAN 2024 alongside Tanzania and Kenya.
The draw for the tournament is set to take place in Nairobi next week.
Uganda will be aiming to make history by advancing beyond the group stages of the competition for the first time.
