Uganda Cranes coach Paul Put has admitted his players face a difficult recovery race ahead of Thursday’s AFCON 2027 qualifier against Tunisia.
A Uganda Cranes locally based contingent arrived in Tunis following a journey Put said lasted 28 hours, leaving his technical team with limited recovery and preparation time.
The Cranes face Tunisia at Stade Olympique Hammadi Agrebi in Rades on Thursday night in their opening Group H qualifier.
Put believes players would ordinarily require at least 48 hours to recover properly from such a demanding journey.
“We travelled for two days. We came yesterday, so we needed to recover,” Put said after Uganda’s training session on Monday
“We had been travelling for 28 hours, so it really tired the players. Normally, it is 48 hours to recover and we don’t have this time.”
Uganda’s preparations have also been complicated by the staggered arrival of foreign-based players, leaving Put without his complete squad during the early sessions in Tunisia.
Despite those challenges, the Belgian was encouraged by the response of the players available to him during training.
“I am very satisfied because when you have fewer players, it is always more difficult,” Put said.
“Physically, they did very well. I am very happy about their performance in training and also their discipline outside the field.”
Put has challenged his players to compensate for the limited preparation time through commitment and professionalism ahead of the Tunisian test.
He believes international football sometimes demands players adjust quickly, particularly when national teams receive only a short period together during international windows.
“I told the players that we are the national team and they know their duty,” Put said.
“We need their motivation and their effort. We don’t have the time to prepare very well, so they have to make this effort.”
The recovery problem is not Put’s only concern ahead of Thursday’s encounter.
Uganda are also approaching the game without some established defensive options, including Jordan Obita and Elio Capradossi.
Put described both as important members of his defensive structure and acknowledged that their absence could force significant changes against Tunisia.
“First of all, you know we are not complete,” Put said. “We have the absence of Elio, who is injured. We have Obita, who is injured, so these are key players in defence, to be honest.”
Put also indicated that Germany-based defender Herbert Bockhorn who he expected to bring experience to the team had not joined the squad.
Bockhorn’s absence would further reduce Put’s options in a defence already undergoing significant changes.
Uganda nevertheless have Toby Sibbick, Rogers Torach, Hillary Mukundane, Geoffrey Lubanga Kene, Jonathan Odongo, Nathan Asiimwe and Gavin Kizito among the defensive options selected for the international window.
Uganda are already guaranteed a place at AFCON 2027 as co-hosts, but the qualifiers provide Put with competitive matches to build his side towards next year’s tournament.
Their opening assignment in Rades may provide an early test of how effectively that new-look team can respond when preparation is far from ideal.