The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) has stepped up efforts to strengthen the Uganda Cranes by identifying professional players of Ugandan heritage eligible to represent the country.

FUFA says it has identified more than 200 professional players around the world who may qualify to play for Uganda under FIFA regulations and Ugandan national laws. From that list, 20 players have so far been identified for further engagement.

Nine of those players have already joined the Uganda Cranes contingent in Kampala ahead of the team’s trip to Hoima for the upcoming AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign and international friendlies against the Democratic Republic of Congo during the current FIFA window.

The initiative forms part of FUFA’s three-pronged plan to strengthen Uganda’s national teams through the recruitment of heritage players, improved domestic club competitions and the development of structured youth academies.

FUFA said the AFCON 2027 qualifiers will also provide an opportunity for the technical team to identify and build cohesion among players capable of representing Uganda at the continental finals.

Nine heritage players identified

Among the players followed up by FUFA is Abdoulaye Sissako, a midfielder with Belgian club Sint-Truiden. Born in France, the former France U18 and U19 international has Malian and Ugandan heritage through his grandmother, Sakona, who was born in Kampala.

Akpan David Udoh, a goalkeeper at Malta’s Mosta FC, is another addition. Udoh, born in 1999, was part of Nigeria’s squad that won the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2015. He qualifies for Uganda through his grandmother, Auma, who was born in Busia.

Polish-based Dieudonne Gaucho Debohi, who plays as a defensive midfielder and centre-back for Raków Częstochowa, is eligible through his maternal grandmother, Tereza Wandera, who was born in Majanji, Uganda.

Swiss-based left-back Souleyman Diaby, of FC Winterthur, has Ugandan heritage through his maternal grandfather, Sonko Sulaiman, who is from Masaka.

Vula Arnold, a forward with Belgian club Beerschot, was born to Congolese parents but has Ugandan heritage through his paternal grandmother, who was born in Pakwach.

Another attacking option is Kelvin Owusu Boateng, a striker with Austria Vienna. Born to Ghanaian parents, Boateng has Ugandan heritage through one of his grandparents and is expected to add pace and physical presence to the Cranes attack.

The other player is Swedish-based goalkeeper Kingdom Osayi, who plays for Assyriska FF. Born to Nigerian parents, Osayi qualifies through his maternal grandmother, who was born in Kaberamaido, Uganda. At 1.98 metres, he adds height to Uganda’s goalkeeping options.

The list also includes Noble Okello Ayo and Nathan Asiimwe who already featured against Tunisia in a 1-1 draw in the AFCON 2027 Qualifiers opener.

Noble Okello is a 6-foot-5 defensive and central midfielder playing for Lexington SC in the United States. Born and raised in Toronto to parents of Ugandan descent, Okello previously represented Canada, earning two senior caps in 2020. FUFA says he is eligible to make a one-time international allegiance switch under FIFA regulations.

Young full-back Nathan Asiimwe, born in London to Ugandan parents, is also part of the group. The Charlton Athletic player is currently on loan at Salford City and came through Charlton’s youth system.

The nine players are with the Cranes camp, while engagements and documentation for the remaining identified players are still ongoing.

The federation says its broader strategy is aimed at strengthening the national teams in the short and long term, while creating a wider talent pool for Uganda ahead of the AFCON 2027 finals.

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