Uganda Cranes are set to face Kuwait in their first international friendly of 2024, taking place in Cairo, Egypt. The squad, exclusively composed of players from the Uganda Premier League, embarked on their journey on Monday after an intensive week of preparations under the guidance of Coach Paul Put, marking his third game in charge.
Uganda, ranked 92nd by FIFA, will meet Kuwait, ranked 136th, for the first time, sparking a desire for both teams to establish a positive rivalry. Despite Uganda’s recent struggles in friendlies, losing the last four and conceding nine goals while scoring twice, Kuwait boasts eight victories in their last ten friendly matches.
Both teams failed to qualify for major tournaments—Uganda for the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations and Kuwait for the ongoing AFC Asian Cup. The match serves as a crucial test for the local-based players gearing up for the FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Botswana in June.
However, Uganda Cranes will face the challenge without experienced midfielder Milton Karisa and Umar Lutalo, both sidelined due to injuries, as confirmed by FUFA. The squad in Cairo includes goalkeepers Hannington Ssebwalunyo and Tom Ikara, defenders Kenneth Semakula, Gavin Kizito Mugweri, Rashid Okocha, Patrick Bayiga, Rogers Torach, Livingstone Mulondo, Nicholas Mweere, and Hudu Mulikyi.
Midfielders Ronald Ssekiganda, Ashiraf Mugume, Bright Anukani, Ramz Kawooya, Laban Tibiita, and Allan Oyirwoth, along with forwards Nelson Senkatuka, Alex Kitatta, Denis Omedi, Usama Arafat Kiza, Patrick Jonah Kakande, and Muhammad Shaban, complete the lineup for the anticipated friendly clash.
