ADO Den Haag’s towering teenage striker Jesse Bal has become the newest name strongly linked with a potential Uganda Cranes call-up, according to reliable insider sources.
Born in Kampala on October 1, 2006, Bal relocated to the Netherlands while still very young and has since risen through the European football ranks with impressive momentum.
Now 19, the 1.96m forward has already represented the Netherlands at U16, U17 and U18 levels, underlining his reputation as one of the most promising young attackers in his age group.
Bal’s development pathway reflects steady progress. After showcasing his ability at Sparta Rotterdam, he spent a brief loan stint with Parma’s Primavera side earlier this year, before sealing a two-year contract with ADO Den Haag in August.
His impact in the Dutch Eerste Divisie has been instant: five goals and four assists in 15 appearances, making him one of the club’s standout performers.
Within ADO Den Haag’s promotion chase, Bal is viewed as a key piece of their long-term project, a dynamic striker who can also operate effectively across both wings thanks to his mobility and technical range.
His rise aligns closely with Uganda Cranes head coach Paul Put’s ongoing strategy of infusing the national team setup with high-quality, Europe-based talent.
Last month, Put hinted at the possibility of introducing a “young, gifted forward” into the fold, although he declined to mention names at the time.
Put’s tenure has seen an increasing number of new faces join or come under consideration for Uganda, including Elio Capradossi, Toby Sibbick, Jordan Obita, Uche Ikpeazu, Alhassan Baba, Calvin Kabuye, Carl Mujaguzi and the returning Melvyn Lorenzen.
Several others, such as Isak Ssewankambo, Herbert Bockhorn, Bashir Humphreys and Nathan Asiimwe, remain on the Cranes’ radar.
With his blend of height, finishing instinct, and tactical versatility, Jesse Bal represents yet another exciting dual-eligible talent who could significantly bolster Uganda’s attacking options.
Fact File – Jesse Bal
- Full Name: Jesse Bal
- Date of Birth: 1 October 2006
- Place of Birth: Kampala, Uganda
- Age: 19
- Height: 1.96m
- Position: Striker (also plays LW/RW)
- Preferred Foot: Right
- Current Club: ADO Den Haag (Eerste Divisie – Netherlands)
- Shirt Number: 23
- Previous Clubs: Sparta Rotterdam, Parma U18
