Uganda Cranes head coach Paul Put insists the door stays open for local-based players despite eight new heritage recruits joining the camp ahead of Tuesday's friendly against Libya.
Put told Kawowo Sports that local players have received plenty of chances since his arrival and must now show the guts to fight for their places.
Nathan Asiimwe and Noble Okello debuted in the 2-2 draw with Tunisia last week while Abdoulaye Sissako, Arnold Vula and six others trained for the first time on Sunday.
The Belgian says the new faces bring Champions League and Europa League experience to address the Cranes' poor Afcon showing where Uganda lost three and drew one.
Put refused to confirm whether any new boys will feature against Libya, stressing that cohesion takes time and the South Africa friendlies against DR Congo will allow experimentation.
He dismissed fears that naturalisation hurts the Uganda Premier League, citing Morocco's model of using mostly foreign-born players without damaging domestic growth.
Rogers Mato, James Bogere and Aziz Kayondo remain in camp as the local core.
The argument doing the rounds in Kampala is whether the heritage drive finally solves the Cranes' quality gap or simply pushes home-based talent further down the pecking order.
How Paul Put defends local Cranes players
Put says local players have been given regular opportunities and must embrace competition rather than fear it.
- Local players in camp: Rogers Mato, James Bogere, Aziz Kayondo and others
- Heritage debutants vs Tunisia: Nathan Asiimwe, Noble Okello
- New arrivals Sunday: Abdoulaye Sissako, Arnold Vula, David Akpan Udoh, Dieudonne Gaucho Debohi, Souleymane Diaby, Kingdom Osayi, Kelvin Owusu Boateng
- Next fixture: Libya friendly, Tuesday
- Upcoming tests: Two friendlies vs DR Congo in South Africa
Source: Kawowo Sports
