Uganda Cranes have suffered a significant setback ahead of their upcoming international friendlies, with two key players, Rogers Mato and Aziz Kayondo, ruled out due to injuries.
Head coach Paul Put’s preparations for the clashes against Chad and Morocco have taken a hit following the withdrawal of the influential duo, both of whom have been integral to Uganda’s recent progress on the flanks.
Mato, the pacey winger turning out for FK Vardar in Macedonia, sustained a knock during his side’s 3–1 win over Tikvesh in the Macedonian First Football League. Reports from Skopje indicate that the lively attacker will be sidelined for approximately four weeks, a worrying development as Uganda continue to gear up for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Uganda Cranes Head Coach Paul Put shares his remarks after the first training session ahead of the international friendlies against Chad and Morocco.#InternationalFriendly pic.twitter.com/oMtoxz89Ij
— Uganda Cranes (@UgandaCranes) November 12, 2025
Meanwhile, left-back Aziz Kayondo, who has been enjoying fine form with Czech outfit FC Slovan Liberec, suffered a concussion after landing awkwardly during a duel in their emphatic 6–0 triumph over Karvina.
The loss of both players, known for their chemistry and explosive play down the left flank, leaves Put facing a tactical puzzle as he looks to fine-tune his squad ahead of the upcoming fixtures.
With two of his most dynamic players unavailable, the Belgian tactician will have to dig deep into his roster for replacements capable of filling the void and maintaining Uganda’s momentum on the road to AFCON 2025.
