In This Article

  • Introduction to Uganda Cranes CHAN Squad
  • Regulations for Player Eligibility in CHAN
  • Importance of International Transfer Certificate (ITC)
  • Concerns about Out-of-Contract Players
  • FUFA's Stance on Player Eligibility
  • Details about CHAN 2024

Key Takeaways

  • Uganda Cranes unveiled their provisional squad for the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) with out-of-contract players causing discussions.
  • Only players with valid contracts registered with local clubs affiliated to their national association are eligible to participate in CHAN, as per CAF regulations.
  • Players transferring to foreign clubs need an International Transfer Certificate (ITC) to ensure eligibility for tournaments like CHAN.
  • FUFA may await the issuance of ITC for players like Ssekiganda and Ssemugabi, who recently joined clubs outside Uganda, before confirming their participation in CHAN.
  • Out-of-contract players who have been actively playing in the domestic league for at least six months may still be considered eligible to compete in CHAN, as seen in previous editions.

Uganda Cranes recently unveiled their provisional squad for the upcoming 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), stirring up discussions due to the presence of players who are currently out of contract or have recently transferred to foreign clubs.

Among the players causing this confusion are Ronald Otti, Ronald Ssekiganda, Jude Ssemugabi, and Patrick Jonah Kakande, among others. According to the regulations set by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for CHAN, only players with valid contracts are eligible to participate in the tournament.

Article 38.2 of the regulations states that "Only players with permanent contracts registered with a local club affiliated to their national association are eligible to participate in the African Nations Championship." This clause means that players who have signed with clubs outside Uganda may not meet the eligibility criteria.

However, the process of a player's transfer is not complete until they have obtained an International Transfer Certificate (ITC). The ITC, mandated by FIFA for players aged 10 and above moving to a new national football association, ensures that the player's registration is correctly transferred, safeguarding both the player and the clubs involved.

For players like Ssekiganda and Ssemugabi, who have reportedly joined APR in Rwanda and Jamus FC in South Sudan respectively, the absence of the ITC complicates their eligibility to participate in CHAN.

It is anticipated that the Ugandan Football Association (FUFA) will await the issuance of the ITC for these players before confirming their participation in the tournament. Additionally, players who have been actively playing in the domestic league for at least six months but have reached the end of their contracts may still be considered eligible to compete.

Ahmed Hussein, the Communications Director of FUFA, noted that this has been a common practice in previous editions of CHAN, allowing players in such circumstances to take part in the tournament. "Out of contract players who have been playing in the League are eligible to play, and that has been the case in the previous editions," he explained to Kawowo Sports.

CHAN 2024 is scheduled to take place from the 2nd to the 30th of August 2025, across Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, promising an exciting showcase of African football talent.

Tags:

#Uganda Cranes #CHAN 2024 #Out-of-contract players #FIFA regulations #International Transfer Certificate