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The Uganda Cranes have resembled a dysfunctional team over the past years, failing to qualify for back-to-back Africa Cup of Nations tournaments in 2021 and 2023.
Uganda Cranes new head coach, Paul Joseph Put, has made a bold promise to Ugandans, claiming that his appointment as the helm of the national team will cause no regret.
Speaking shortly after his unveiling at the FUFA Headquarters in Mengo, the Belgian coach expressed his enthusiasm for his new role.
"It is a huge pleasure to have been named the head coach of the Uganda Cranes," he stated during the unveiling. "I can assure you, you will never regret this decision."
The Uganda Cranes have resembled a dysfunctional team over the past years, failing to qualify for back-to-back Africa Cup of Nations tournaments in 2021 and 2023.
The 67-year-old will front a huge rebuilding job after being presented as the third Cranes coach in four years.
The new head coach underlined his commitment to improving the individual quality of the team while achieving positive outcomes.
"I will work on the individual quality of this team, but to win even with the talents that are available is necessary. So, the group is a priority, but we must produce results," he added.
"I am very motivated now and I am ready to write a beautiful page with the Uganda Cranes," he declared.
Paul Put's extensive coaching career has taken him to various nations and clubs, including Gambia, Burkina Faso, Jordan, Algeria, and Congo, among others.
His most remarkable achievement was leading Burkina Faso to the 2013 AFCON finals, although they ultimately lost to Nigeria.
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12:11 - 02.11.2023
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After the large match-fixing scandal when he was head coach of Belgian club Lierse, Put was charged by the Brussels Correctional Tribunal court.
Put emphasized that his approach would draw from his extensive experience in African and European football.
"Everything I will do will be based on my experience in African football and also in Europe," he explained.
"I am a very ambitious person, and when I sign for a country, it is to bring results."
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As part of his vision for the team, Coach Put intends to instill a universal playing style for the Uganda national team, one that offers entertaining football.
"The big challenge is to instill a universal playing style for the Uganda national team and produce entertaining football," he said.
With a clear sense of purpose, Paul Put outlined the forthcoming challenges, which include qualifying for the African Nations Championship in 2026 and AFCON 2025.
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"We are going to do everything possible to make sure that we attain the set challenges," he affirmed.
Part of his backroom staff will include Uganda Cranes legend Sam Ssimbwa, who returns to the role of assistant with the Uganda Cranes after serving as assistant to Lazslo Czaba in 2010.
Ssimbwa was among two Ugandan coaches that applied for the Cranes coaching job, and had been heavily linked to the head coach role at former side KCCA FC before his appointment.
Put steps into the role of head coach for the Uganda Cranes, succeeding Milutin 'Micho' Sredojevic.
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11:57 - 02.11.2023
FOOTBALL New Uganda Cranes Coach Paul Put: A Controversial choice amidst match fixing concerns?
Only time will tell whether this is the track record Uganda needs to steer its football destiny towards brighter days.
Micho was dismissed following another disappointing AFCON qualification campaign, which saw Uganda finish third in a group that featured Algeria, Tanzania, and Niger.
Following Micho's departure, Morley Byekwaso took the reins on an interim basis.
However, Byekwaso's interim tenure saw the Cranes suffer two losses in the recent international friendly window, with defeats against Mali and Zambia.
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19:00 - 02.11.2023
FOOTBALL Ssimbwa named new Uganda Cranes assistant
“Sam Ssimbwa appointed Uganda Cranes assistant coach,” FUFA said in a statement, adding; “Uganda Cranes head coach Put Paul Joseph has appointed Sam Ssimbwa as his assistant.”
The Uganda Cranes are poised to return to action later this month in the World Cup qualifiers.
Their upcoming fixtures will see them face Guinea and Somalia on the 17th and 21st, respectively, both played away from home.
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