Paul Put, the recently appointed Belgian coach of the Uganda Cranes, shared insights after overseeing his first training session with the team in Morocco.
The gaffer admitted to facing challenges in his first training as the team prepares for the upcoming World Cup Qualifiers.
The Coach said that session on Tuesday served as an initial introduction between the coaches and players.
“It’s always difficult with the first training, the first meeting with the players, so this was especially a little about introducing what I wanted to see on the pitch,” Put expressed.
He also acknowledged the challenge of establishing rapport and conveying his tactical vision in the early stages.
Acknowledging the dedication exhibited by the players in their individual club training sessions, Put lauded their commitment, stating, “Players have been responding because they have been training very well (at their respective clubs).”
The coach emphasized the need for meticulous analysis, mentioning plans to collaborate with his technical team to evaluate the training session and identify areas for improvement.
“We will sit together with my technical team, analyze this training, we have to see what to do better,” Put added, highlighting his proactive approach to enhancing the team’s performance.
Reflecting on the training, Put admitted the challenge of familiarizing himself with the squad but expressed his efforts in managing the situation.
“But the training has been good, though difficult for me because I don’t know the players, but I tried to manage it,” he stated.
The Uganda Cranes are set to face Guinea on November 17 and Somalia on November 21, both matches to be held in Morocco.
Notably, Put’s technical team comprises Sam Ssimbwa (Assistant Coach), Parmentier Arnom (Physiotherapist), Sven De Wilde (Performance Manager), Mathieu Denis (Physical Fitness Coach), and Gery Osste (Goalkeeping Coach).
Uganda finds itself in Group G that also has formidable opponents Algeria, Botswana, and Mozambique.
Only the top team from the group will secure qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, raising the stakes for the upcoming matches.
