The Uganda Cranes have welcomed their final arrivals in Botswana, with forwards Rogers Mato and Travis Mutyaba joining the squad on Tuesday evening at the Avani Resort Hotel in Gaborone.
Their arrival means coach Paul Put now has all 26 summoned players in camp ahead of the crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Mato, currently in red-hot form for FK Vardar in North Macedonia, leads the league’s scoring chart with eight goals and is expected to play a vital role in Uganda’s frontline.
The winger was also on target during the previous international window, scoring twice in Uganda’s 4-0 win over Mozambique in Kampala.
Mutyaba, now plying his trade with Tunisian side CS Sfaxien, has also settled in well and adds creativity to the attacking options.
With the full squad assembled, the Cranes will wrap up preparations before traveling by air from Gaborone to Francistown on Wednesday afternoon, where they’ll face Botswana’s Zebras on Thursday, October 9. Uganda will then close their qualifying campaign away to Algeria on Tuesday, October 14.
The Cranes sit second in Group G with 15 points, four behind leaders Algeria. The group also features Mozambique, Botswana, Somalia, and Guinea.
Goalkeepers Denis Onyango, Salim Magoola, and Nafian Alionzi headline a squad packed with both foreign and home-based talent, including defenders Elio Capradossi, Jordan Obita, and Toby Sibbick, while captain Khalid Aucho and Bobosi Byaruhanga anchor the midfield.
Coach Put will be hoping Mato’s form and Mutyaba’s flair can inspire Uganda to a strong finish as they chase a maiden World Cup appearance.
