Paul Put backs 17-year-old Bogere for senior Cranes debut
Put noted that giving opportunities to young local players helps them grow and prepares them for tougher football environments.
Paul Put backs 17-year-old Bogere for senior Cranes debut
Uganda Cranes head coach Paul Put said 17-year-old forward James Bogere fully deserves his first call-up to the senior national team following his strong performances at youth level.
Bogere is currently with the Uganda Cranes team in Morocco for a training camp in preparation for the prestigious Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 where Uganda is pooled alongside Tunisia, Nigeria and neighbours Tanzania.
Put noted that giving opportunities to young local players helps them grow and prepares them for tougher football environments.
“Bogere has done some good individual stuff. He deserves to be in the team, giving opportunities to local talent,” Put said.
He also praised Uganda’s under-17 group and their individual progress.
“You can be a great talent at seventeen but that gives no guarantee. The big work starts then. The environment, discipline and people around you matter.”
Bogere impressed at the recently concluded FIFA U17 World Cup in Qatar, scoring two goals, one against France and another against Canada. His strong showing earned him a place in the 30-man provisional Cranes squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
His rise continued just days later when he signed a professional contract on Tuesday, 9th, with Aarhus Gymnastikforening (AGF), a topflight Danish Superliga club. AGF is one of Denmark’s oldest football institutions, with 145 years of history, five league titles, nine Danish Cups, and two Atlantic trophies. The club is currently led by chairman Jacob Nielsen and head coach Jakob Poulsen.
Bogere’s football journey began in Wairaka–Jinja, under Coach Vasco at Oxford Soccer Academy, where he trained for more than eight years. He later moved to Amerigo Soccer Academy under Coach Boban, before joining El Cambio Soccer Academy, becoming the first player from the academy to earn a senior national team call-up.
He featured in school football at Blessed Sacrament Kimanya and currently plays in the Buganda Regional League with Masaka Sunshine Football Club.