Osayi, Udoh Join Uganda Cranes Ahead of 2027 AFCON
Nigeria-born goalkeepers Kingdom Osayi and Akpan David Udoh have joined the Uganda Cranes as the East African nation intensifies preparations for Tuesday’s crucial 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Libya.
The duo are among nine heritage players who have reported to the Uganda camp after the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) expanded its search for players of Ugandan descent across the global football landscape.
FUFA said its scouting exercise initially identified more than 200 potential heritage players, with 20 subsequently established as eligible to represent Uganda.
Osayi, 22, currently plays for Assyriska FF in Sweden and qualifies through his Ugandan heritage. The Nigeria-born goalkeeper has roots in Kaberamaido through his grandmother.
Udoh, 27, who plays for Mosta FC in Malta, also has Nigerian nationality and Ugandan ancestry through his grandmother from Busia. His international background includes membership of Nigeria’s victorious 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup squad.
The other players brought into the Cranes setup are Abdoulaye Sissako of Sint-Truiden, Dieudonne Gaucho Debohi of Raków Częstochowa, Souleyman Diaby of FC Winterthur, Vula Arnold of Beerschot VA, Noble Okello of Lexington SC, Nathan Asiimwe of Salford City and Kelvin Owusu Boateng of Austria Vienna.
Among the group, Okello and Asiimwe have already represented Uganda at senior level, featuring in the Cranes’ opening 2027 AFCON qualifying fixture against Tunisia.
The heritage recruitment programme represents a deliberate expansion of Uganda’s player pool as the federation seeks to strengthen the national team ahead of the country’s co-hosting of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations alongside Kenya and Tanzania.
Coach Paul Put will now assess the available options as Uganda prepares for a demanding international schedule.
The Cranes face Libya on Tuesday, September 29, in their second Group H qualifier before taking on DR Congo in international friendlies on October 2 and October 5.
With the AFCON qualification race gathering pace, the arrival of Osayi, Udoh and the other heritage players adds another dimension to Uganda’s squad-building strategy and could provide the coaching staff with fresh options for the campaign ahead.
