Uganda Cranes will play two International friendly matches against Cameroon and The Gambia during the FIFA International match calendar Window next month.

Coach Paul Put’s team will face Cameroon who played ay the 2022 World Cup on June 6^th, and later battle The Gambia three days later. The matches will be played in Morocco.

Uganda named a 26 man squad on Tuesday including 12 players from the Uganda Premier League, and 16 foreign based players.

The Cranes will also use the two international matches to test players ahead of the upcoming TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) and the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025.

Besides Uganda Cranes, other teams in the CECAFA Zone like Rwanda and Burundi will also be engaged in International friendly matches.

The Amavubi of Rwanda will play away to Algeria on June 7^th in Constantine, while Burundi are also scheduled to play two matches against Mauritania and Guinea Bissua.

Uganda Squad summoned

Goalkeepers: Isima Watenga (Golden Arrows FC, South Africa), Nafian Alionzi (Defence Forces FC, Ethiopia), Joel Mutakubwa (Bidco FC, Uganda), Hannington Sebwalunyo (NEC FC, Uganda).

Defenders: Elvis Bwomono (St Mirren FC, Scotland), Nico Wadada (Vipers SC, Uganda), Elio Capradossi (AS Cittadella, Italy), Arnold Odong (SC Villa, Uganda), Toby Sibbick (Wigan Athletic FC, England), Hilary Mukundane (Vipers SC, Uganda), Jordan Obita (Hibernian FC, Scotland), Isaac Muleme (Viktoria Žižkov, Czech Republic).

Midfielders: Bobosi Byaruhanga (Oakland Roots SC, USA), Kenneth Semakula (Club Africain, Tunisia), Allan Oyirwoth (New England Revolution, USA), Enock Ssebagala (NEC FC, Uganda), Abdu Karim Watambala (Vipers SC, Uganda), Allan Okello ( Vipers SC, Uganda), Travis Mutyaba (Bordeaux, France).

Forwards: Dennis Omedi (APR FC, Rwanda), Hakim Kiwanuka ( APR FC, Rwanda), Shafik Nana Kwikiriza (KCCA FC, Uganda), Rogers Mato (FK Vardar, North Macedonia), Steven Mukwala ( Simba SC, Tanzania), Usama Arafat (KCCA FC, Uganda), John Paul Dembe (AC Hacken, Sweden), Patrick Jonah Kakande (SC Villa, Uganda), Ivan Ahimbisibwe (URA FC, Uganda)

Kenya’s U-17 women’s team picked a 1-1 draw against hosts Morocco in an international friendly match played at the Mohammed VI Complex in Rabat on Friday.

Defender Elizabeth Ochaka gave the Junior Starlets the lead after 60 minutes, but the hosts leveled matters through Mayssa Baha 13 minutes later.

The two teams will again face-off in the second friendly match on April 7^th at the same Stadium.

Coach Mildred Cheche are using the friendly matches ahead of a crucial third round qualifier of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup where they face Cameroon.

The Junior Starlets ejected Uganda 5-0 on aggregate in the second round of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers. Kenya is seeking to book a place in the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup for the second consecutive time.

Meanwhile, Kenya’s senior women’s team suffered a 2-0 defeat away to Ivory Coast in an International friendly match also played on Friday.

Kenya Starlets head coach Beldine Odemba has praised her team for the good show in their big 5-0 win against hosts Morocco in an international friendly match played on Tuesday.

“I am very happy that after drawing 2-2 in the first match, we managed to re-organise and win 5-0 in the second match,” said a happy Odemba.

Fasila Adhiambo gave Kenya the lead at the Mohammed VI Football Complex after 16 minutes, and Adam Mwanalima made it 2-0 ten minutes later.

The home side tried to get back in the game, but the Kenya Starlets team defended well. Mwanalima netted her second, while Violet Nanjala and Elizabeth Mideva also got their names on the score sheet.

Odemba said that playing such international friendly matches help them build the team and give different players the opportunity to play.  “We hope to play many more International friendly matches and also participate in some tournaments which will help us get better,” added the coach.

In October this year the Kenya Starlets played in the 4-Nations Pink Ladies Cup in Turkey.

The Uganda Crested Cranes will play two international friendly matches against the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Coach Shryl Ulanda Botes’ side will line-up against the hosts in the first match on October 27^th at the Stade des Martrys, Kinshasa. The second match will take place three days later.

“I am very excited that my team will have this opportunity to play two International friendly matches against DR Congo. These matches will also help us prepare ahead of the regional CECAFA Women’s Championship expected to take place in Ethiopia,” added Botes.

In-from Brazilian based striker Sandra Nabweteme who plies her trade with Santos Laguna Femenil is expected to lead the Crested Cranes attack together with Indian based striker Fazila Ikwaput.

Meanwhile, in an international friendly match played last evening hosts Morocco defeated Tanzania’s Women’s team 4-1. Enekia Kasonga netted Tanzania’s only goal.  Tanzania will next face Senegal on October 27^th in their second international friendly match.

In a related development Kenya’s Harambee Starlets return to action later tonight against Russia in a 2024 Pink Ladies Cup on-going in Turkey. Kenya lost their opening match 1-0 to Chinese Taipei few days ago. Kenya will play their last match against Phillipines on October 30th.