Paul Put: Belgian optimistic about his Cranes future

Paul Put is the new Uganda Cranes head coach|FUFA IMAGE

FOOTBALL Paul Put: Belgian optimistic about his Cranes future

Brian Aheebwa • 09:34 - 04.11.2023

FUFA appointed the former Harambee Stars coach on a two-year renewable contract to succeed the Serbian Milutin 'Micho' Sredojevic, who was sacked with a year left in his second tenure.

Belgian tactician Paul Joseph Put is optimistic that he will last long enough as Uganda Cranes' head coach.

FUFA appointed the former Harambee Stars coach on a two-year renewable contract to succeed the Serbian Milutin 'Micho' Sredojevic, who was sacked with a year left in his second tenure.

Paul Put: Belgian optimistic about his Cranes future|FUFA IMAGE

Put's immediate focus will be on the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Still, in the long term, the ex-Burkina Faso manager has his sights on the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which will be hosted in East Africa for the first time.

"I know we don't have much time, but I had a chance to analyze some games in the last AFCON qualifiers and the friendlies against Zambia and Mali, so I have an idea," Put told FUFA in an interview.

"But I will need some time to see the local players, and we shall see about the future because one of my targets is to form a formidable team for AFCON 2027."

He added: "East Africa is hosting the competition in Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania, and it is all home, so I am thinking of that tournament."

FUFA made Paul Put the new Uganda Cranes head coach|COURTESY

"If we have the confidence and support for each other, we shall have a strong and competitive team for AFCON 2027."

A joint bid from Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania dubbed the "Pamoja Bid" was successful, and the trio is preparing to host the rest of Africa in four years.

However much Put wants to manage the Cranes when Africa ascends to home soil, that is not guaranteed, and it is only his performance to determine his future.

New Uganda Cranes coach Paul Put during the Africa Cup of Nations in the past

Before the AFCON 2027, there is the AFCON 2025 and 2026 FIFA World Cup along the way, and it should be a long way to 2027.

He selected Sam Ssimbwa as his assistant, and they will soon summon the national team for the November international window engagements.

Guinea and Somalia await the Cranes for the opening two games of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers this month.