UGANDA national team head coach, Paul Put, has released a 30-man provisional squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, with Nigerian-born striker Uchechukwu Ikpeazu making the list as the Cranes intensify preparations for their first AFCON appearance since 2019.
News Point Nigeria Sports reports that Ikpeazu, 30, was born in London to a Nigerian father and Ugandan mother and officially committed to Uganda in 2021 after switching his international allegiance.
He earned his first competitive cap for the Cranes in September and will now hope to secure a place in Put’s final 28-man AFCON team.
The Cranes arrived in Casablanca, Morocco, on Sunday for an 11-day intensive training camp ahead of the tournament, which will run from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026.
Uganda is drawn into a tough Group C featuring Nigeria, Tanzania and Tunisia, making it one of the most competitive groups of the tournament.
Put, who recently signed a contract extension until 2028, opted for a blend of experience and youth in his provisional roster. Veteran goalkeeper Denis Onyango, one of Uganda’s most decorated footballers, headlines the goalkeeping department, while exciting teenage sensation James Bogere, who impressed at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar, earns his first senior call-up.
The squad also features red-hot striker Mato Rogers, who has scored an outstanding 15 goals in 17 matches for FK Vardar this season.
Midfield enforcer Khalid Aucho leads the central department, supported by returning stars Baba Alhassan and Melvyn Lorenzen, both of whom were standout performers during Uganda’s November friendlies.
In defence, Put selected a solid mix of domestic and European-based players, including Burton Albion’s Toby Sibbick, Jordan Obita, Abdu Azizi Kayondo, and SC Villa captain David Owori.
Uganda will play two friendly matches during the training camp before the final squad announcement. Under CAF’s updated regulations, teams may retain 28 players, meaning Put will only need to drop two names—although he may release more depending on tactical needs.
The Cranes begin their AFCON campaign on December 23 against Tunisia, before facing Nigeria and later Tanzania, in their quest to advance from a tightly contested group and make a deep run in the competition.
