The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) has secured the international allegiance of Nigerian-born goalkeepers Akpan Udoh and Kingdom Osayi as Uganda intensifies efforts to strengthen the Uganda Cranes with heritage players.
The move sees both goalkeepers become part of Uganda’s plans ahead of upcoming international fixtures and qualifiers, with the duo qualifying through their Ugandan family roots.
Akpan Udoh Joins Uganda After Golden Eaglets World Cup Glory
Udoh is the more prominent name of the two, having represented Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets at the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile.
The goalkeeper was part of the Nigerian squad that won the tournament, featuring alongside notable players including Victor Osimhen and Samuel Chukwueze.
FUFA said Udoh is eligible to represent Uganda through a grandparent from Busia.
The goalkeeper currently plays for Maltese club Mosta FC but will need to complete a one-time change of association with FIFA because he previously represented Nigeria in official youth competitions.
Kingdom Osayi Eligible to Represent Uganda Immediately
Osayi, meanwhile, has experience in the Nigeria Premier Football League, having featured for clubs including Heartland, MFM, Doma United and Enugu Rangers.
He subsequently moved abroad to Sweden, where he joined Assyriska FF.
According to FUFA, Osayi qualifies to play for Uganda through his maternal grandmother, who was born in Kaberamaido.
Unlike Udoh, Osayi did not earn an official cap for Nigeria at any level. As a result, he can represent Uganda immediately without undergoing the same FIFA change-of-association process required by his compatriot.
Uganda Targets Heritage Players for Cranes Squad
The arrival of Udoh and Osayi forms part of Uganda’s wider push to identify and integrate players with Ugandan heritage into the national team setup.
With international fixtures and qualifiers ahead, FUFA will be hoping the addition of the Nigerian-born goalkeepers can provide greater depth and competition for places in the Uganda Cranes squad.