Uganda Cranes head coach Paul Put has thrown his support behind goalkeeper Ismail Watenga after his costly errors in the 3-1 loss to Mozambique, urging fans and the team to rally around him ahead of tomorrow’s crucial match against Guinea.
Speaking at a pre-match press conference, Put acknowledged Watenga’s struggles but emphasized that mistakes are part of football, even for the best goalkeepers in the world.
“When a goalkeeper makes an error, it’s always magnified because there’s no one behind him to cover,” Put said. “It’s unfortunate, but these things happen—even top goalkeepers at clubs like Manchester City make mistakes. The key is how you respond.”
Put revealed that the coaching staff, including the goalkeeping coach, has been working closely with Watenga to rebuild his confidence.
“It’s a mental challenge more than anything else,” he explained. “We win together, and we lose together—there is no blame. It’s about moving forward.”
While it remains to be seen whether Watenga will start against Guinea, Put’s words suggest the goalkeeper still has the coach’s trust.
With Uganda needing a strong performance to stay in the hunt for World Cup qualification, the team will be hoping for a solid defensive display and a resilient mindset as they take on a tough Guinea side.
