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Omedi, Kiwanuka have Cranes coach blessings

Shafik Nana Kwikiriza stretching in training. PHOTO/EDDIE CHICCO 

What you need to know:

The duo were named in the Cranes Chan 2024 provisional squad hours before their move to Rwandan side, APR, was sealed, ultimately ruling them out of the home-based players tournament. In the same vein, KCCA’s Usama Arafat has been added to the Chan squad

The reason Cranes coach Paul Joseph Put summoned 36 players for his Chan 2024 provisional squad is developments like Denis Omedi and Hakim Kiwanuka’s, the Belgian hinted this week.

Kitara striker Omedi and SC Villa forward Hakim Kiwanuka completed moves to Rwandan side, APR, on Wednesday - the same day they were named in coach Put’s Cranes squad.

The APR move ultimately ruled the pair out of Chan 2024, a home-based players tournament Uganda will host alongside Kenya and Tanzania on February 1-28, 2025.

Omedi and Kiwanuka’s move was not a surprise as the pair, especially the former, have been subjects of transfer speculation.

Hakim Kiwanuka. 

Opportunity for others

Coach Put was aware that he could lose them and more others as he prepared his team to start non-residential training on Friday.

“Some things are beyond me,” Put said when it was brought to his attention that the pair were subject to transfers away from Uganda.

“This is why I called 36 players to prepare for incidents like injuries and transfers. 

“It was so that in case of injuries and transfers, others (in the squad) can step up. So transfers are beyond me but if our players secure good moves, we are happy and wish them the best.”

KCCA youngster Usama Arafat is the first beneficiary of the duo’s departure after he was added to the provincial Chan squad to start training on Friday.

Denis Omedi. 

Omedi and Kiwanuka each signed a two-year contract and the duo watched APR’s League game against Marines FC in Gishenyi this week.

Fifa Puskas Award and Caf Goal of the Year 2024 nominee, Omedi, has been instrumental at Kitara since joining them two years ago from Booma in the Big League. 

He helped the team win the 2024 Stanbic Uganda Cup, which saw Kitara debut on the continent, as well as put in an impressive top flight last campaign.

Cranes and URA forward Ivan Ahimbisibwe in the game against Burundi at Nakivubo. PHOTO/JOHN BATANUDDE 

Omedi also came of age on the national team, scoring two goals as Uganda Cranes qualified for Afcon 2025.

On his part, Kiwanuka has been crucial for SC Villa, scoring five league goals and creating three assists. He was also telling as they won the Uganda Premier League last year.

African Nations Championship (Chan) 2024

When: February, 1-28, 2025

Where: Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania

Edition: Eighth

Draws: January 15, 2025 in Nairobi