Uganda Cranes midfielder Khalid Aucho retired from international football on Saturday during the 1-1 draw with Botswana in Hoima, a match dedicated to his farewell in which he did not come on, due to injury.
Khalid Aucho has hung up his Uganda Cranes shirt. The 33-year-old midfielder officially retired from international football on Saturday 14 November 2026, at the end of a 2027 AFCON qualifier against Botswana (1-1) dedicated to him, according to Dongqiudi.com/All Football. An evening marked by emotion, but also by an injury that kept him out of the action at Hoima City Stadium.
Despite being in coach Paul Put’s squad, Aucho did not come on. Players from both teams nonetheless gave him a guard of honour, and FUFA president Moses Magogo presented him with a framed memento. A way of saluting thirteen years of service to the national team, capped by 77 appearances.
A final appearance without any game time
The sporting script did not offer him a single minute. Injured, the midfielder did not come on, as Uganda drew 1-1 with Botswana. James Bogere had opened the scoring for the Cranes, and Losika Lachukudu equalised for Botswana before half-time, according to Dongqiudi.com.
Despite his absence on the pitch, the tribute matched the length of his service. The guard of honour formed by the players and the framed memento presented by Moses Magogo sealed that recognition. “The moment was beautiful. I was very emotional, but I thank God for the wonderful work I have done and for helping and protecting me,” he told Dongqiudi.com/All Football.
Thirteen years of loyalty
Khalid Aucho’s international career began on 30 November 2013, in a 1-0 win over Rwanda in Nairobi, according to the same source. Thirteen years later, the tally stands at 77 caps for the Uganda Cranes.
Uganda is also co-hosting the 2027 AFCON with Kenya and Tanzania, according to Africasoccer.com. Khalid Aucho, for his part, said: “The future is brighter,” according to Dongqiudi.com/All Football.
Now for the return leg
With Aucho’s retirement confirmed, the Cranes must now look ahead to the rest of their campaign. Botswana host Uganda on 18 November 2026 at 03:00 for the return leg, according to Qiumiwu.com. A fixture Paul Put’s side will go into without their midfielder, now retired from the international game.
The first leg ended in a 1-1 draw in Hoima, leaving the two teams level before the return leg, in the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.