Uganda Cranes head coach, Paul Put, has assured fans that his team will approach their 2024 CHAN qualifying match against Burundi with utmost seriousness.
The Cranes kicked off their preparations on Saturday with a non-residential training session at the Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo. Under the watchful eye of Coach Put, 24 players began their journey towards the crucial encounter.
The technical team included assistant coach Sam Ssimbwa, goalkeeping coach Ibrahim Mugisha, and fitness coach Felix Ayobo.
However, the training session saw the absence of Samuel Ssenyonjo from Express FC and Jude Ssemugabi from Kitara FC, both of whom were engaged in club duties.
Despite this, Put expressed confidence in his squad and outlined the roadmap for their preparations.
“We have a squad of 26 players, and today, 24 reported for training while two are still tied up with their clubs. This first session was all about recovery, as 17 players had matches with their clubs yesterday,” Put explained. “I’ve worked with some of these players before, while others are still adapting. Once the full squad is in camp, we’ll shift focus to tactics and more intensive preparations.”
The coach stressed the importance of taking the Burundi clash seriously, framing it as a stepping stone toward CHAN success and a source of excitement for fans.
“We’re not taking the game against Burundi lightly. It’s a critical match because we need positive results to excite our home fans and to prepare adequately for CHAN. February 2025 is just around the corner,” he emphasized.
With their eyes set on victory, the Cranes aim to deliver a strong performance that sets the tone for their CHAN campaign and ignites enthusiasm among supporters.
