Uganda Cranes face DR Congo in an international friendly at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on Friday as head coach Paul Put uses the fixture to assess squad depth ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Goalkeeper and captain Denis Onyango, right back Nathan Asiimwe, centre back Tobby Sibbick and left back Aziz Kayondo reportedly did not travel with the team.
Sadam Masereka and Toto Majub return to camp after missing the previous matches against Tunisia and Libya.
Put may hand debuts to new faces Abdoulaye Sissako, Akpan David Udoh, Dieudonne Gaucho Debohi, Souleyman Diaby and Kingdom Osayi alongside Uganda Premier League goalkeepers David Lukwago and Hannington Ssebwalunyo.
Arnold Vula and Kelvin Owusu Boateng could earn more minutes after featuring in the 1-0 win over Libya at Hoima City Stadium on Tuesday.
James Bogere, Joseph Sseremba, Gavin Kizito and Hilary Mukundane are also in line for game time.
The argument doing the rounds in Kampala is whether Put should trust the domestic-based players or wait for the overseas regulars to return for the crucial qualifiers.
Uganda last faced DR Congo in 2023 when the Leopards won 1-0, but the Cranes hold a historical edge with four wins, two losses and one draw in seven meetings.
Uganda Cranes squad changes
- Sadam Masereka and Toto Majub return to camp
- Denis Onyango, Nathan Asiimwe, Tobby Sibbick, Aziz Kayondo absent
- New call-ups: Abdoulaye Sissako, Akpan David Udoh, Dieudonne Gaucho Debohi, Souleyman Diaby, Kingdom Osayi
- Domestic goalkeepers David Lukwago and Hannington Ssebwalunyo included
Head-to-head record
- Uganda wins: 4
- DR Congo wins: 2
- Draws: 1
- Last meeting: DR Congo 1-0 Uganda (2023)
Watch the Highlights
Source: Kawowo Sports
