Football: Uganda's top players to follow during 2025 AFCON
by Devesh Jaganath | by Devesh Jaganath
James Bogere (Forward) - Masaka Sunshine FC
Paul Put has officially announced his 30-player squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, and fans across Uganda are delighted to see the 17-year-old wonderkid James Bogere included in the party that has travelled to commence their training camp in Morocco.
The Cranes have been drawn in a tough Group C for the tournament, alongside three-time African champions Nigeria, Tunisia and Tanzania, and we will be covering their progress throughout the competition in our AFCON 2025 predictions.
Bogere burst onto the international scene during the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, where he scored an incredible seven goals in just four matches, including two hat-tricks. He also led the competition for successful dribbles (35) ahead of the Ivory Coast’s Moise Diarrassouba.
The teenage sensation continued his stellar form for the Uganda Cubs at the recent FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar, where he helped the team reach the Round of 16, and ultimately secured his first senior call-up for AFCON 2025.
Bogere has proven that he is a genuine goal poacher and was on the radar of several Premier League teams, including Brentford and Brighton. However, it was revealed this week that Danish Superliga leaders Aarhus have secured his signature, ahead of Pro League outfit Genk.
Uche Ikpeazu (Forward) - St Johnstone
Put’s 30-player squad is largely made up of vastly experienced players, and one such individual is 30-year-old attacker Uche Ikpeazu, who plies his trade abroad for St Johnstone - current league leaders in the Scottish Championship.
Ikpeazu earned his first call-up to the Cranes back in 2020 when Johnathan McKinstry was at the helm for the national team. Unfortunately, the two matches he was supposed to feature in were eventually postponed due to COVID-19 restrictions in Uganda.
While his current season has not been the greatest due to injury setbacks, Ikpeazu’s experience, having also played for Middlesbrough, Blackpool, Watford, Port Vale and Cardiff City, will be a massive asset for Uganda.
St Johnstone head coach Simo Valakari has green-lighted the forward’s departure to join up with the national team earlier than expected to commence preparations. Ikpeazu is set to become the first player in the club’s history to feature in the Africa Cup of Nations.
Denis Onyango (Goalkeeper) - Mamelodi Sundowns
The most experienced player to make the squad for Uganda for AFCON 2025 is Mamelodi Sundowns' goalkeeper Denis Onyango, who represented the nation at the 2017 and 2019 editions of AFCON and captained them until his international retirement in 2021.
After four years, Onyango came out of retirement in August this year and rejoined the Cranes for their 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Mozambique and Somalia. Put has now summoned the Masandawana shot-stopper to be a part of their latest quest in Morocco.
Onyango’s first appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations came in 2017 in Gabon after he played a massive part in the team’s qualifying campaign, conceding a mere two goals in their six qualification matches in the lead-up to the tournament.
At 40 years of age, it is somewhat unlikely that Onyango will play every match at AFCON 2025. However, his role is still crucial, as he brings tremendous experience, know-how, and leadership skills, having won the CAF Champions League and been considered one of Africa’s best goalkeepers for many years.
