Paul Put continues his hunt for the right formula ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations as Uganda Cranes face Chad tonight in Morocco.
It may be a friendly, but for two players; Alhassan Baba and Melvyn Lorenzen, it’s a defining audition.
For Alhassan Baba, this is a moment he has waited for. Born in Uganda to Ghanaian parents and now with Steaua Bucharest in Romania, the 25 year old midfielder arrives with real buzz around him.
Baba is seen as the energetic, composed, all-round midfielder Uganda has lacked.
And with Put still trying to fix the Cranes’ midfield balance, tonight could be Baba’s chance to convince.
If he shines, he adds genuine depth to a unit led by captain Khalid Aucho and featuring Kenneth Ssemakula.
Regulars Ronald Ssekiganda and Joel Sserunjogi are absent from this camp, but competition still remains stiff with Karim Watambala, Bobosi Byaruhanga, and Allan Oyirwoth all battling for places.
For Uganda, Baba’s rise could not come at a better time. For the player himself, this could be the start of something big.
On the wings, Melvyn Lorenzen returns nearly ten years after making his Cranes debut in 2016 against Zimbabwe.
His career with Uganda has been a mix of flashes of quality and long disappearances, including turned down call-ups.
This window feels like his final shot.
With Rogers Mato injured, Lorenzen’s experience and ability out wide suddenly matter again.
Put wants to see if the Germany-born attacker can spark Uganda’s frontline, an area that has lacked creativity in recent games.
A good performance tonight could breathe new life into his international career.
The friendly also opens doors for several overlooked players.
Strikers Uche Ikpeazu and Joseph Mpande have been regular call-ups but rarely play.
Chad gives Put a chance to measure their sharpness and value as backup forwards.
At left back, Herbert Achai could make his senior debut with Aziz Kayondo sidelined by concussion, though Jordan Obita remains a strong option given his club experience in the role.
Despite the experimentation, Uganda’s core group remains steady.
Obita, Toby Sibbick, Elia Capradossi, Aucho, Moses Waiswa Okello and in-form forward Jude Ssemugabi are all available.
With Morocco lined up next on Tuesday, these days are crucial for building rhythm, testing combinations, and fine-tuning tactics before Uganda heads into a tough AFCON group featuring Nigeria, Tanzania, and Tunisia.
