Put rings changes: More new Cranes faces likely to debut in DR Congo Friendly
David GOMBE
Following their AFCON 2027 Qualifiers matches against Tunisia and Libya, Paul Put’s Uganda Cranes will shift attention to the friendly matches against DR Congo.
On Friday 2nd October, the Cranes will battle with the Congolese at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa, kicking off at 4:00 PM EAT.
The encounter is part of Uganda’s preparations for the upcoming AFCON 2027 Qualifiers, with the Cranes using the FIFA window to test against Sébastien Desabre’s men.
Paul Put’s men head into the contest after a narrow 1-0 win over Libya in the first ever national team match to be staged at Hoima City Stadium.
Debutant Arnold Vula scored the only goal for the Cranes who cruised to their maiden win of the 2027 AFCON Pamoja qualifiers.
Uganda travelled to South Africa with five players who include captain Denis Masinde Onyango, Aziiz Kayondo, Rogers Mato, Nathan Asiimwe and Noble Okello who featured in the games against Tunisia and Libya. FUFA revealed that the decision to leave them was made by the technical team.
Put is expected to hand new faces in Abdoulaye Sissako, Akpan David Udoh, Dieudonne Gaucho Debohi, Souleyman Diaby, Kingdom Osayi, Toto Majub their debuts while Kelvin Owusu Boateng who replaced Vula is also likely to get more minutes.
Desabre is a former Uganda Cranes coach and his Congo side come into this game after a 2-1 away win over Zimbabwe in their previous match. They also beat Equatorial Guinea 2-0 in their AFCON 2027 Qualifiers match.
The two sides will meet again on 5th October 2026 in their second friendly at the same venue.
