KAMPALA. Paul Put’s options are growing on paper, but Uganda’s preparations for Botswana underline the difference between assembling talent and getting it onto the pitch.
Rogers Mato is out injured, Abdoulaye Sissako remains caught in a clearance wait, Herbert Bockhorn finished his first ever training session with the team on Thursday and newcomer Daniel Jordan Dongmo faces a quick introduction to the Cranes.
Together, those developments leave Put balancing an immediate selection challenge with his broader task of building Uganda’s team for Afcon 2027.
Uganda host Botswana at Hoima City Stadium on Saturday, November 14, with kick-off at 7pm, before travelling for Tuesday’s return fixture.
The Cranes lead Group H with four points after drawing away to Tunisia and beating Libya, giving this window an opportunity to consolidate their encouraging start.
Mato’s absence removes a player who helped establish that platform by scoring Uganda’s equaliser in the opening 1-1 draw in Radès.
The Hearts forward was forced off after 32 minutes against Rangers on October 28, and Put has confirmed he will miss Saturday’s encounter.
His withdrawal leaves the coach needing to redistribute attacking responsibility while managing uncertainty elsewhere in the squad. Goalkeeper Akpan David Udoh’s availability also remains unresolved.
For Sissako, the frustration is different; the midfielder is eager to contribute but still awaits the Fifa approval needed for his competitive Uganda involvement.
The Sint-Truiden player has already offered supporters a glimpse of his qualities, providing an assist during Uganda’s 2-0 friendly victory over DR Congo.
That contribution makes the wait more significant for Put, who has seen what the former France youth international can bring to his midfield.
Sissako said a demanding club schedule would not diminish his commitment to the national team.
“There is no way I can complain and say I’m tired. So I will give everything if the coach trusts in me.”
He watched Uganda’s victory over Libya from the stands in Hoima and wants to experience that atmosphere as a player.
His ambitions also extend beyond an individual appearance, Sissako wants to develop with the squad and help Uganda compete strongly at the continental finals.
Dongmo’s inclusion adds another midfield option as that rebuilding process continues.
The 25-year-old Nacional midfielder, who previously represented Cameroon at Under-23 level, received a late call-up and was expected in camp before the teams flies out to Hoima on Thursday.
His Ugandan connection runs through his paternal grandmother, his club career has taken him through Troyes in France, Vardar in North Macedonia and Petrolul Ploiesti in Romania before Nacional in Portugal.
The recruitment fits Fufa’s stated intention to use the qualifying campaign to identify players and develop cohesion ahead of the home tournament.
However, adding names is only the beginning, Put must establish combinations, assess how newcomers fit alongside established players and turn a widening squad into a functioning team.
That work has been complicated by staggered arrivals, with only nine players available for the opening training session at Namboole.
Saturday offers a useful measure of Uganda’s progress: whether the Cranes can absorb Mato’s absence, manage the uncertainty around Sissako and maintain their promising start.