Ebola restrictions force Noble Okello out of Uganda Cranes double header against Botswana

Coach Paul Put has explained why some players have not been named in the Uganda Cranes squad that will face Botswana in next month’s AFCON 2027 Qualifiers.

Uganda will host Botswana on 14th November at Hoima City Stadium before the two nations face off in the return leg three days later.

On Wednesday morning, as he revealed the 30-man squad for the aforementioned games, Coach Put highlighted why some players have been left out.

He explained that defenders Elio Capraddosi and Jordan Obita are sidelined with injuries.

For the heritage players Dieudonne Gaucho Debohi and Souleyman Diaby, despite featuring in the friendly games against DR Congo early this month, Put revealed that they are waiting on FIFA to clear their change of citizenship.

About Noble Okello, Put said he was only considerate to the player because the last time he travelled for the games against Tunisia and Libya, he had quarantine for 21 days before returning to the USA.

Okello features for USL Championship outfit Lexington SC, and it is mandatory for anyone who travels to the US from Uganda to undergo a quarantine routine for at least 21 days due to the Ebola outbreak in East Africa.

“I had an engagement with him (Okello), and he had issues when he came here last time. He quarantined in Canada and only returned to the club a few days ago. So summoning him for this camp would mean he had to undergo the same procedure. We discussed it with him, and he understood the situation, and hopefully we can have him for the games in March next year,” Put stated.

Okello was born in Canada on 20 July 2000 and featured for Canada Junior National Teams (U17, U20 and U21).

He also has two caps with the senior national team, both coming during the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup, including his debut as a substitute in the 4-1 win over Barbados.

Early this year, Okello chose to switch allegiance to Uganda and earned his maiden appearance in the one-all draw against Tunisia.

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