JIPRA Graduate Shafick Kwikiliza earns Uganda Cranes Maiden Call.
Jinja Progressive Secondary School student Shafick Nana Kwikiliza is the new face included in the Uganda Cranes squad by Head Coach Paul Joseph Put for the TotalEnergies double header against South Sudan in the 2025 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers.
The left footed young star who signed a five year contract with KCCA FC from the Eastern Giants, has been impressive at Lugogo since joining something that caught Paul Put’s attention and many Ugandan football lovers.
Nana a S6 student, has went through the JIPRA Football set up and was part of the USSSA 2024 team in Masaka.
Before joining KCCA FC, the new Cranes man, played for BUL FC in the 2022–23 and 2023–24 seasons.
Kwikiriza set to sit for his UACE exams this year, is a natural left footed winger who loves taking on opponents with his speed, power and skill but can as well play as an attacker.
Nana was part of the BUL FC side that finished second in the StarTimes Uganda Premier League and semifinalists in the Stanbic Uganda Cup last season.
Midfielder Taddeo Lwanga that joined Rwandese side APR and KCCA FC hitman Derrick Nsibambi are other notable faces that returns to the Cranes fold.
Kitara duo; Omedi and Semugabi along with KCCA FC nidfielder Saidi Mayanja retain their position in the 27 man summoned squad.
Uganda will play South Sudan in a double header with the first leg set on 11th October at Mandela National Stadium while the return leg in Juba will take place on 15th October 2025.
According to Fifa.co.ug, the summoned team will enter residential camp at Cranes Paradise Hotel on 6th October 2024.
Uganda has four points from the opening two games having drawn 2-2 against South Africa and a 2-0 win at home against Congo.
Uganda Cranes Squad
Goalkeepers
Isima Watenga (Golden Arrows FC, South Africa), Nafian Alionzi (Defence Forces FC, Ethiopia), Charles Lukwago, Venda FC, South Africa)
Defenders
Gavin Kizito Mugweri (KCCA FC, Uganda), Kenneth Semakula (Club Africaine, Tunisia), Isaac Muleme (Victoria Zizkov, Czech Republic), Nicholas Mwere (BUL FC, Uganda), Abdu Aziizi Kayondo (FC Slovan Liberec, Czech Republic), Bevis Mugabi (Famagusta Anorthosis, Greece), Timothy Awany (FC Ashdod, Israel), Halidi Lwaliwa (Al Ain SC, Saudi Arabia), Arnold Odong (SC Villa, Uganda)
Midfielders
Khalid Aucho (Yanga SC, Tanzania), Bobosi Byaruhanga (Austin II, USA), Taddeo Lwanga (APR FC, Rwanda), Ronald Ssekiganda (SC Villa, Uganda), Allan Okello (Vipers SC, Uganda), Travis Mutyaba (Girondins Bordeaux, France), Saidi Mayanja (KCCA FC, Uganda)
Forwards
Denis Omedi (Kitara FC, Uganda), Jude Ssemugabi (Kitara FC, Uganda), Shafik Kwikiriza (KCCA FC, Uganda), Rogers Mato (FC Brera Strumica), Derrick Nsibambi (KCCA FC, Uganda), Steven Mukwala (Simba SC, Tanzania), Calvin Kabuye (Sandvikens IF, Sweden)