Two Nigerian-born goalkeepers, Akpan Udoh and Kingdom Osayi, have switched their international allegiance to Uganda as the Cranes look to strengthen through heritage eligibility.
Want our football coverage to show up first?
Add FootballInNigeria as a preferred source and our stories get a "Preferred" badge in your Google Top Stories, AI Overviews, and AI Mode results.
The Federation of Uganda Football Associations has secured the international allegiance of two Nigerian-born goalkeepers, Akpan Udoh and Kingdom Osayi, as part of a broader push to bring heritage players into the Uganda Cranes squad.
A Former Golden Eaglets Champion
Udoh is a familiar name from Nigerian youth football, having been first-choice goalkeeper for the Golden Eaglets side that won the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile in 2015 alongside players such as Victor Osimhen and Samuel Chukwueze. According to FUFA, he qualifies for Uganda through a grandparent from Busia. Now with Maltese club Mosta FC, Udoh will need a formal one-time change of association through FIFA, having previously represented Nigeria at youth level.
An NPFL Journeyman Turned Cranes Prospect
Osayi previously featured for several NPFL clubs, including Heartland, MFM, Doma United and Enugu Rangers, before moving abroad to Swedish side Assyriska FF. He qualifies for Uganda through a maternal grandmother born in Kaberamaido, and since he never officially represented Nigeria at any level, he is free to play for the Cranes without going through a lengthy FIFA switch process.
Joining Uganda’s Growing Heritage Contingent
Both goalkeepers join the Cranes setup as Uganda prepares for upcoming international fixtures and qualifiers, continuing a trend of the federation looking beyond its borders to strengthen the national team through eligible heritage players.
