Uganda Cranes squad: Aucho set for farewell against Botswana

Midfielder Khalid Aucho is set to make a farewell appearance on home soil when Uganda Cranes host Botswana in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers next month.

Aucho who announced his retirement from international football on October 12, bringing an end to a 13-year career with the national team.

The midfielder earned 77 caps for Uganda and served as captain, making him one of the key figures in the Cranes setup over the years.

The midfielder has been included in the 30-man squad set to face Botswana over two legs.

The home fixture against Botswana, scheduled for November 14 at Hoima City Stadium, will provide an opportunity for fans to celebrate Aucho’s contribution to Ugandan football as he brings his international career to a close.

Paul Put’s squad includes almost all faces from the team used in the previous window, including heritage players like Arnold Vula who scored the only goal as Uganda beat Libya at Hoima City Stadium.

Bobosi Byaruhanga and Herbert Bockhorn have been included after missing the previous window.

Goalkeepers

Denis Onyango (Mamelodi Sundowns FC, South Africa), Kingdom Osayi (Assyriska FF, Sweden), David Lukwago (SC Villa, Uganda) and David Udoh Akpan (Mosta FC, Malta).

Defenders

Toby Sibbick (Burton Albion FC, England), Jonathan Odongo (Entebbe UPPC FC, Uganda), Rogers Torach (CS Constantine, Algeria), Aziizi Kayondo (FC Slovan Liberec, Czech Republic), Kenneth Semakula (Al Ittihad Alexandria Club, Egypt), Nathan Asiimwe (Salford City FC, England), Hilary Mukundane (Vipers SC, Uganda), Gavin Kizito (Nairobi United FC, Kenya), Majub Toto (Atlanta United FC, USA), Herbert Achayi (KCCA FC, Uganda) and Herbert Bockhorn (FC Magdeburg, Germany).

Midfielders

Baba Alhassan (Mardin 1969 Spor, Turkey), Bobosi Byaruhanga (Oakland Roots SC, USA), Allan Oyirwoth (Dunfermline FC, Scotland), Joseph Seremba (Nairobi United FC, Kenya), Khalid Aucho (Sidama Bunna, Ethiopia) and Abdoulaye Sissako (St. Truidense V.V., Belgium).

Forwards

Allan Okello (AS FAR, Morocco), James Bogere (AGF, Denmark), Travis Mutyaba (CS Sfaxien, Tunisia), Kelvin Boateng (FK Austria Wien, Austria), Rogers Mato (Hearts FC, Scotland), Arnold Vula (K. Beerschot V.A., Belgium), Sadam Masereka (Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC, USA), Denis Omedi (Gor Mahia FC, Kenya) and Frank Ssebufu (SC Villa, Uganda).