Uganda coach Paul Put has released a 30-man provisional squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, with 30-year-old forward Uchechukwu Ikpeazu of Nigerian descent making the list as the Cranes intensify preparations for the tournament in Morocco.

Uganda, drawn in Group C alongside Nigeria, Tanzania and Tunisia, will be making their first AFCON appearance since 2019.

This year’s edition is scheduled to run from December 21 to January 18, 2026. Ikpeazu, born in London to a Nigerian father and Ugandan mother, earned his first Uganda cap in September after switching allegiance in 2021 and will now hope to secure a place in the final 28-man team.

The squad arrived in Morocco on Sunday for an 11-day training camp in Casablanca, where they will play two friendly matches before the final list is announced. Put, who recently signed a contract extension to remain in charge until 2028, has gone for a mix of established internationals and rising talents.

Veteran goalkeeper Denis Onyango returns as one of four goalkeepers called up, while 17-year-old James Bogere receives his first senior invitation following his impressive outing at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar. In-form striker Mato Rogers, with 15 goals in 17 matches for FK Vardar this season, also boosts the attacking options.

There are further reinforcements with the recalls of Baba Alhassan and Melvyn Lorenzen after their strong showings in Uganda’s November friendlies.

The defence is anchored by Toby Sibbick of Burton Albion, Jordan Obita, Abdu Azizi Kayondo and SC Villa captain David Owori, while midfield stalwart Khalid Aucho leads a unit expected to steady the team through a challenging group.

Uganda open their campaign against Tunisia on December 23, before taking on Nigeria and Tanzania in what many believe is one of the tournament’s toughest groups.

Under CAF’s new regulations, Put is expected to drop just two players from the provisional squad, though the number could change based on Uganda’s final preparations.