Nigerian goalkeepers switch allegiance to Ugandan national team

 

 

Kingdom Osayi (left) and Akpan Udoh (left)

Nigeria-born goalkeepers Akpan David Udoh and Kingdom Osayi have switched international allegiance to Uganda after being identified by the Uganda Football Federation as part of the country’s latest recruitment drive.

FUFA is targeting players with Ugandan roots around the world as it looks to build a stronger squad ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.

Udoh, who plays for Mosta FC in Malta, has a strong connection to Nigerian football.

The goalkeeper was a member of Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets squad that won the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup, a team that featured several players who later became prominent names in Nigerian football.

Despite his Nigerian youth international background, Udoh is eligible for Uganda through his grandparent, Auma, who was born in Busia.

Kingdom Osayi is the second goalkeeper joining the Cranes. The 22-year-old currently plays for Assyriska FF in Sweden after previously featuring in the Nigeria Premier Football League.

Born on 3 June 2004 to Nigerian parents, Osayi is eligible for Uganda through his maternal grandmother, who was born in Kaberamaido.

The 1.98m goalkeeper brings youth and height to the Uganda Cranes’ goalkeeping department as the federation continues to expand its pool of eligible players.

Osayi became one of the most talked-about young goalkeepers during his spell with Doma United.

He produced an impressive run of consecutive clean sheets and also showed that he could influence games beyond making saves.

The goalkeeper famously registered two assists in Doma United’s 3–0 victory over Gombe United, highlighting his ability to initiate attacks from the back.

His performances during November 2023 earned him the League Bloggers Association Player of the Month award.

Now, both Osayi and Udoh are set to become part of Uganda’s growing pool of players with international eligibility as FUFA continues its efforts to reshape the Cranes ahead of the 2027 AFCON campaign.