Nafian Alionzi, one of the four goalkeepers picked by Uganda Cranes coach Paul Put for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, has expressed his dedication to represent his country.
In an interview, the 28-year-old goalkeeper, who plays for the Ethiopian club Defence Force SC, stated that it is always a great pleasure to don the national team jersey.
“It’s every player’s dream to represent the country at the highest level, which is the World Cup qualifiers at the moment,” Alionzi said.
The goalkeeper, who has made six appearances for the Uganda Cranes since his debut in 2021, further revealed that everything is going well in the training camp, and all players are fit and set to play.
“The training sessions have been good, nobody has gotten injured, we’re all happy and everyone is lively,” he said.
“The mood has been good under the new coach, and I feel we’re up to the task and pushing on well,” he added.
When asked about his excitement for the upcoming qualifiers, Alionzi remained focused, stating, “Of course, it’s not an excitement, there’s always a target. You get excited after achieving the target, so before that, you first have to work for it.”
The Uganda Cranes will host their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Botswana on June 7th and Algeria on June 10th at the newly-renovated Namboole Stadium, and will be looking to make a strong statement as they aim to secure a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
