Uganda Cranes: Paul Put confirms Mato will not feature against Botswana

Uganda Cranes coach Paul Put has admitted that preparing his team for Saturday’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027 qualifier against Botswana has been challenging, with late arrivals leaving him with only nine players for the opening training session.

With several foreign-based players still travelling to join camp, Put has had to make do with a small group, making it difficult to prepare the team as he would have liked.

“The first day is always difficult. We only had nine players, so it’s not easy. Tomorrow we will not be complete,” Put said.

The Belgian coach expects the squad to gradually fill up as players complete their journeys to Uganda, although he understands that travelling after club commitments is not always straightforward.

“I think on November 11 we’ll be complete because the players have to travel. They played yesterday, so you know, the connections, it’s not always that easy,” he explained.

Put is hopeful of having 15 or 16 players at the next training session, giving his technical team a bigger group to work with. He admitted that training with such small numbers makes it difficult to achieve much on the pitch.

“So tomorrow [Tuesday], I hope to be with 15, 16 players and we can do more. But the thing is, you know, if you play or you train with only seven, eight, nine players, it’s very tough. It’s very hard,” he added.

Despite the numbers, the coach was pleased with the commitment shown by the players who had reported to camp, acknowledging their positive response to the difficult start.

“But you responded very well. So I’m happy about that,” he said.

Put also confirmed that Rogers Mato will miss the Botswana game after failing to recover from an injury scare sustained while playing for Scottish side Heart of Midlothian.

Mato picked up a calf and Achilles problem during Hearts’ 2-2 draw against Rangers in the Scottish Premiership at Tynecastle Park. The forward was forced off in the 32nd minute after experiencing soreness in the affected areas.

Although he initially remained hopeful of making the Uganda squad, with his general feeling after the match encouraging, his availability depended on further assessments by Hearts’ medical team.

However, Put has now ruled him out, dealing the Cranes a setback ahead of the important home fixture.

There is still some uncertainty surrounding two other players. Put is waiting for FIFA’s clearance for Abdoulaye Sissako, while David Udoh Akpan’s availability remains uncertain.

“Mato will not be playing. Then we hope that we will have the go-ahead from FIFA for Sissako. Then Akpan, who is still not sure 100%,” Put revealed.

The coach, however, remains optimistic that the outstanding issues will be resolved in the remaining days before the game, stressing that Mato is the only confirmed injury absentee.

“So we hope we still have a few days. For the rest, Mato is the only one who is injured. All the other players will be available,” he added.

The Cranes host Botswana’s Zebras on Saturday, November 14, at 7:00 p.m. in an AFCON 2027 Group H qualifier at the newly built Hoima City Stadium, also known as Kabalega Stadium.

Botswana are yet to arrive in Uganda, just like foreign-based Cranes players who are continuing to join the national team camp.

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