Put urges fringe players to step up as Cranes face star-studded DR Congo

The international football landscape wears a different look this season. Following a directive from FIFA, the traditional September and October international breaks have been officially merged into a single, extended window to solve persistent calendar congestion.

Top domestic leagues paused following fixtures on September 19-20 and will not resume until October 10-11, creating an unprecedented three-week club hiatus.

Capitalising on this extended window, the Uganda Cranes have travelled to Johannesburg, South Africa, where they are set to lock horns with DR Congo in a high-profile, two-legged international friendly series scheduled for October 2 and October 4, 2026. 

After completing their final training session at the magnificent FNB Stadium, the venue that will host the opening clash at 3:00 p.m. local time (4:00 p.m. EAT), Uganda head coach Paul Put addressed the media with a clear vision and strategic pragmatism.

Put shed light on the realities of squad management during this extended window, noting the departure of certain players whose domestic competitions continue outside top-tier regulations.

“First of all, these decisions were made before. We know that some of the players have to return. Because in some countries the competition is running, so it’s not like the first division where they stop during the FIFA window. So, that we know. The second thing is the players who have been playing for two games. I cannot let them play because it’s going to be too tough for them,” Put explained.

With heavy travel loads and fatigue factoring into his selections, the Belgian tactician views this match-up as a golden gateway for fresh talent to stake their claim.

“If you see with all the travelling we have been doing, that is also the chance for the local players and the new ones, who can play, because some of the new ones have not arrived yet. That he can show also and that he can say to the coach, here I am, I stand up, now the choice is yours. That’s what I want,” he noted.

“I want him also on the pitch to give himself, and that he shows himself that he has the level of our national team. That will make it more difficult to make the choices, and that’s where we have to end if they want to create a good team. I had a good feeling. You were attentive, you were concentrated. I think if they are smart enough, they will know that maybe they can get their chance. It’s very tough.”

Recognising the formidable pedigree of their Central African opponents, Put acknowledged the immense depth and quality within the Congolese ranks.

“A team who have been playing well, who have been performing very well. A team who can make three, four teams, who can qualify for Africa. Players who refuse the national team from Belgium to go and play for Congo. That says enough,” Put remarked.

Despite the threat posed by the Leopards, the Uganda boss emphasised that the primary metric for success on the day goes far beyond the scoreboard.

“For us, it’s an opportunity for our players, our local players, to show themselves, and they are also competing against a very strong team. We will see tomorrow; even if we lose, it’s not dramatic. We play what we have to do. I want to see, technically, what we have been asking for, if we can do it. We will see, but the result is not important tomorrow and not for the last game. The important thing is that the players who didn’t play can show themselves.”

Squad Evolution and camp dynamics

Both nations head into this October showdown boasting notable shifts from their previous campaigns in the 2027 AFCON Qualifiers across Tunis and Hoima.

Uganda’s initial squad in Tunisia and Libya featured an expansive pool of talent, including:

Richard Basangwa, Hannington Ssebwalunyo, David Lukwago, Geofrey Lubangakene, Frank Ssebufu, Herbert Achayi, Hilary Mukundane, Jonathan Odongo, Hassan Mubiru, Kenneth Semakula, Steven Mukwala, Toby Sibbick, Rogers Mato, Allan Oyirwoth, Nathan Asiimwe, Gavin Kizito, Joseph Seremba, Denis Omedi, Denis Onyango, James Bogere, Rogers Torach, Allan Okello, Travis Mutyaba, Noble Okello, Baba Alhassan, Abdu Aziizi Kayondo, Kelvin Boateng, and Arnold Vula.

For the match day battle in Johannesburg, the finalised Uganda Cranes squad that travelled includes:

Rogers Torach, Kenneth Semakula, Toby Sibbick, Baba Alhassan, Arnold Vula, Akpan Udoh, Allan Okello, Hannington Ssebwalunyo, David Lukwago, Allan Oyirwoth, Travis Mutyaba, Sadam Masereka, Steven Mukwala, Kelvin Boateng, Denis Omedi, Hilary Mukundane, James Bogere, Herbert Achayi, Joseph Seremba, Jonathan Odongo, Toto Majub Brian, Geofrey Lubanga Kene, Richard Basangwa, Gavin Kizito Mugweri, Frank Ssebufu, Gaucho Debohi Dieudonne, Diaby Souleymane, Abdoulaye Sissako, and Kingdom Osayi.

Among those looking to make a definitive impact is defender Gavin Kizito Mugweri, who previously slipped down the pecking order but is now eager to reclaim his vital spot in the national team setup. Speaking with immense confidence from the camp, Kizito stated:

“We as players are prepared and ready to face Congo tomorrow because everyone is in good shape and we have no injuries in camp. So we are ready for the game. And we are super excited to play Congo because it’s going to give us good competition because it’s a good team. We all know it has been in a World Cup. So it will be a good exercise for us as players, and if you’re fit, you’re free to face anything. So I expect positive results in the game tomorrow.”

Meanwhile, DR Congo enters the contest with an alternate, star-studded second squad for the October 2-4fixtures, blending European club experience with international pedigree;

● Goalkeepers: Matthieu Epolo (Standard de Liège), Dimitry Bertaud (Forge), Nathan Ndibu (Les Aigles du Congo)

● Defenders: Gedeon Kalulu (Aris), Kévin Pedro (Saint-Étienne), Joris Kayembe (Genk), Steve Kapuadi (Widzew Łódź), Jordy Makengo (Freiburg), Chancel Mbemba (Al Diriyah), Willy Kambwala (Como), Dylan Batubinsika (FC București)

● Midfielders: Noah Sadiki (Sunderland), Jorthy Mokio (Ajax), Brandon Ndezi (Dijon), Paris Maghoma (Norwich City), Noah Mbamba (Lorient), Ezechiel Banzuzi (RB Leipzig), Stephy Mavididi (Watford), Junior Kadiile (Lens), Stanis Idumbo (Monaco)

● Attackers: Anthony Musaba (Norwich City), Jackson Muleka (Konyaspor), Afimico Pululu (Al Hazem), Samuel Essende (Young Boys)

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