Coach Put includes teenagers Magala, Bogere, Ijara in CHAN 2024 provisional squad.
Uganda Cranes Head Coach Paul Joseph Put has named three teenagers in the provisional squad for CHAN 2024.
Striker James Bogere, defensive midfielder Brian Ijara and attacking midfielder Isima Magala Mulala are part of the 36-man provisional squad summoned on Wednesday morning.
Ijara features for KCCA FC while Bogere and Magla are products of El Cambio Academy and play for Masaka Sunshine FC in the Buganda Regional League.
The trio played a key role as Uganda U17 Team (The Cubs) won the regional qualifiers and eventually qualified for AFCON U17 final tournament.
Bogere was the top scorer of the CECAFA Zonal Qualifiers, scoring seven goals in four games.
Coach Put believes the trio has the ability to play at this level and it is upon themselves to seize the opportunity.
“I believe these players are capable and I wanted to give them an opportunity to train and compete at such a level. We have seen players at that age featuring for their senior team. Therefore, this is their chance to come and show their abilities.” He said.
Other notable inclusions are Paul Mucureezi and Emmanuel Wasswa who have performed well for NEC FC and Express FC respectively.
The squad comprises of four goalkeepers, twelve defenders, ten midfielders and ten forwards.
The team will start training on Friday this week and the squad will be trimmed to 26 players on Monday when they will start residential camp.
CHAN 2024 will be played between 1st -28th February 2025 in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
Full Squad
Goalkeepers
Hannington Ssebwalunyo (NEC FC), Mutwalibi Mugolofa (KCCA FC),Joel Mutakubwa (BUL FC), Crispas Kusiima (Kitara FC)
Defenders
Gavin Kizito Mugweri (KCCA FC), Gideon Odongo (NEC FC), Moses Aliro (URA FC), Derrick Ndahiro (Vipers SC), Enock Walusimbi (URA FC), Arnold Odong (SC Villa), Rogers Torach (Vipers SC), Hillary Mukundane (Vipers SC), Walter Ochora (BUL FC), James Begisa Penza (URA FC), Nicholas Mwere (BUL FC), Paul Patrick Mbowa (Vipers SC)
Midfielders
Joel Sserunjogi (KCCA FC), Enock Ssebagala (NEC FC), Ibrahim Thembo (NEC FC), Emmanuel Wasswa (Express FC), Ronald Ssekiganda (SC Villa), Allan Okello (Vipers SC), Saidi Mayanja (KCCA FC), Brian Ijara (KCCA FC), Patrick Jonah Kakande (SC Villa), Isima Magala Mulala (Masaka Sunshine FC)
Forwards
Hakim Kiwanuka (SC Villa, Milton Karisa (Vipers SC), Denis Omedi (Kitara FC)Jude Ssemugabi (Kitara FC), Shafik Nana Kwikiriza (KCCA FC), Paul Mucureezi (NEC FC), Isaac Ogwang (Police FC), James Bogere (Masaka Sunshine FC), Sadat Happy Anaku (KCCA FC), Charles Lwanga (SC Villa)#CityfmSportsNews
