Aucho Set for Cranes Farewell as Put Names 30-Man Squad for AFCON 2027 Qualifiers Against Botswana
Uganda Cranes head coach Paul Put has named a 30-man squad for next month’s TotalEnergies AFCON 2027 Qualifiers against Botswana, with captain Khalid Aucho in line for an emotional farewell on home soil.
Aucho Khalid- Credit to Jale Morgan
Aucho, who announced his retirement from international football on October 12, 2026 after 13 years and 77 caps for Uganda, has been included in the squad for his final bow.
The Cranes will host Botswana at Hoima City Stadium on Saturday, November 14, 2026 at 7:00 PM, in a game that will double as a celebration of Aucho’s service to the national team. The return leg will be played in Botswana.
According to FUFA, tickets for the home clash will be sold online only, priced at UGX 20,000 for Ordinary Lower, UGX 30,000 for Ordinary Upper and UGX 150,000 for VIP.
Put’s squad blends experience and youth, with veteran goalkeeper Denis Onyango returning alongside foreign-based stars Allan Okello, Travis Mutyaba, Rogers Mato and Toby Sibbick, while local talent including SC Villa’s David Lukwago and Frank Ssebufu also make the cut.
Full Squad:
Goalkeepers: Denis Onyango (Mamelodi Sundowns, South Africa), Kingdom Osayi (Assyriska FF, Sweden), David Lukwago (SC Villa), David Udoh Akpan (Mosta FC, Malta)
Defenders: Toby Sibbick (Burton Albion, England), Jonathan Odongo (Entebbe UPPC), Rogers Torach (CS Constantine, Algeria), Aziizi Kayondo (Slovan Liberec, Czech Republic), Kenneth Semakula (Al Ittihad Alexandria, Egypt), Nathan Asiimwe (Salford City, England), Hilary Mukundane (Vipers SC), Gavin Kizito (Nairobi United, Kenya), Majub Toto (Atlanta United, USA), Herbert Achayi (KCCA FC), Herbert Bockhorn (FC Magdeburg, Germany)
Midfielders: Baba Alhassan (Mardin 1969 Spor, Turkey), Bobosi Byaruhanga (Oakland Roots, USA), Allan Oyirwoth (Dunfermline, Scotland), Joseph Seremba (Nairobi United, Kenya), Khalid Aucho (Sidama Bunna, Ethiopia), Abdoulaye Sissako (St. Truidense, Belgium)
Forwards: Allan Okello (AS FAR, Morocco), James Bogere (AGF, Denmark), Travis Mutyaba (CS Sfaxien, Tunisia), Kelvin Boateng (Austria Wien, Austria), Rogers Mato (Hearts FC, Scotland), Arnold Vula (Beerschot V.A, Belgium), Sadam Masereka (Colorado Springs Switchbacks, USA), Denis Omedi (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Frank Ssebufu (SC Villa)