From AFCON absence to Turkey camp: Capradossi rejoins Cluj

Uganda Cranes defender Elio Capradossi has already turned his attention back to club football after reporting for duty with Romanian side FC Universitatea Cluj ahead of the second half of the season.

The centre-back did not feature for Uganda at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, with FUFA president Moses Magogo and head coach Paul Put officially stating that he was sidelined by injury.

However, reports later emerged suggesting that Capradossi’s absence was linked to a fallout with FUFA over players’ qualification bonuses.

It should be remembered that just before Uganda’s opening match against Tunisia, the Cranes squad skipped one training session in protest over delayed payments.

Each player was entitled to a USD 10,000 qualification bonus, but FUFA maintained that the funds had not yet been released by the Ugandan government.

Uganda’s AFCON campaign eventually ended in disappointment, as the Cranes exited at the group stage with just one point in Group C, following defeats to Tunisia and Nigeria and a draw against East African rivals Tanzania.

While the controversy continues to linger in the background, Capradossi has already linked up with Universitatea Cluj, who are currently holding their winter training camp in Turkey.

The Romanian side has lined up three friendly matches as part of their preparations against Fatih Karagümrük on January 6, Dukla Prague on January 11, and Widzew Łódź on January 12.

Under the guidance of head coach Cristiano Bergodi, Universitatea Cluj will resume competitive action on January 18 with a tough away trip to Dinamo Bucharest.