Paul Put Faces Delicate Balancing Act as Uganda Cranes Prepare for Packed 12-Day Schedule

Uganda Cranes head coach Paul Put is set to navigate one of the team's most demanding international schedules, with four matches packed into just 12 days across Tunisia, Hoima and Johannesburg.

The whirlwind tour begins with an away fixture against Tunisia on September 24, followed by a home qualifier against Libya in Hoima five days later. The action then shifts to South Africa, where the Cranes will face DR Congo in two friendly matches on October 2 and October 5.

This intense programme falls within an extended international window running from September 21 to October 6, combining competitive qualifiers with crucial preparation games.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has confirmed the kickoff times for the qualifiers. The match in Tunisia is scheduled for (10:00 PM EAT), while the home game against Libya will start at (7:00 PM EAT).

While CAF's official fixture list does not specify the venue for the Libya match, Sports Minister Peter Ogwang has confirmed that Hoima City Stadium will host the encounter, with preparations already underway.

Following the qualifiers, the Uganda Football Federation (FUFA) has arranged two friendlies against DR Congo. Reports from Congolese sources indicate that both matches will be held in Johannesburg, South Africa.

This demanding itinerary means the Cranes will travel from Tunisia back to Uganda, play in Hoima, and then immediately fly south for the double-header against the Leopards. The tight turnaround—five days between the Tunisia and Libya games, and just three days between each subsequent match—places a heavy emphasis on player recovery and squad rotation.

To manage the workload, Put has named a 28-man squad, providing his technical team with ample options to distribute playing time across the demanding fixtures, especially for players arriving from strenuous club seasons.

Although Uganda has already secured its place at the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) as a co-host, the opening two qualifiers remain significant. Tunisia, Libya, and Botswana are all vying for the single remaining qualification spot from Group H.

The friendlies against DR Congo will offer Put a valuable opportunity to experiment with different player combinations and tactical setups after assessing his preferred lineup during the competitive matches. For DR Congo, the games serve as preparation for their own Group E qualifiers against Equatorial Guinea and Zimbabwe.

For coach Put, the challenge lies in balancing the need for immediate results in the qualifiers with the long-term goal of building a formidable squad for AFCON 2027. The pressure of the qualifiers, the experimental freedom of the friendlies, and the logistical test of a heavy travel schedule will reveal much about the team's depth, resilience, and adaptability.