Uganda Cranes head coach, Paul Put has praised teenage forward James Bogere for his discipline, talent, and perseverance as the national team continues preparing for the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Speaking during the Cranes’ training camp in Morocco, Put revealed that he has been watching Bogere even before his recent rise to fame.
“I think I have been giving a lot of chances to our local players, and they deserve it,” Put said. “During our first preparation for CHAN, which was later cancelled, Bogere had been training with me for about 10 to 12 days. When the tournament was cancelled, he went back to his club and then went for tryouts.”
Put emphasized that Bogere earned his call-up.
“With Bogere, I think he also deserved to be in the team,” he noted. “When you make a selection, it is very tough. You sometimes have doubts about certain key players, which makes you rethink the list.”
Grounded future prospect
The Belgian coach praised the talent coming from Uganda’s youth ranks, especially the U17 side that performed well at the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar. However, he warned that talent alone does not guarantee success.
“You can be a great talent at 17, but that doesn’t give you any guarantees,” Put said. “The real work starts now. Your environment, discipline, and the people around you matter. At that age, this is not always easy.”
Despite the tough competition, Put encouraged the players who didn’t make the final squad.
“I had to disappoint some players, and it hurts me,” he admitted. “But I want to encourage them to keep working hard. In football, you never know tomorrow can be totally different.”
Bogere completes dream move to Denmark
Bogere’s steady rise has been highlighted by his recent professional breakthrough. The 17-year-old striker, along with teammate Hamuza Ssengooba, signed a professional contract with Aarhus Gymnastikforening (AGF), a well-known Danish Superliga club.
The duo, who came from the Masaka-based El Cambio Soccer Academy, previously played in the Buganda Regional League with Masaka Sunshine FC and were key to Uganda’s progress to the Round of 16 at the U-17 World Cup.
Bogere has received widespread praise for his speed, smart positioning, and accurate finishing skills that have drawn significant interest from scouts and agents across Europe.
AGF, founded in 1880, is one of Denmark’s oldest football clubs, with 5 league titles, 9 Danish Cups, and 2 Atlantic trophies. The “Whites” play their home games at the 12,000-seat Vejlby Stadium in Aarhus.
Cranes players confident ahead of AFCON Bogere joins the senior national team at a time when confidence is high among the Cranes players. Forward Rogers Kasim Mato expressed his pride ahead of the continental tournament.
“I am feeling grateful and honoured to be here, representing my country at AFCON. It is a real pressure,” he said.
Midfielder Bobosi Byaruhanga echoed the excitement: “Everyone’s dream is to play in AFCON. It has some of Africa’s best players from all over the world.”
Goalkeeper Allionz Nafian is also optimistic.
“It is the biggest level in football in Africa, where every player wants to play, and it has produced so many great players.”
He said Uganda is grouped with Tunisia, Nigeria, and Tanzania as the team aims to return to the knockout stages of Africa’s biggest football tournament.