AFCON 2027 Qualifiers: FUFA Unveils 9 Heritage Players For Uganda Cranes
David GOMBE
FUFA has embarked on a three-fold approach for the short and long term development of the national team:
The three fold approach includes Heritage Players, Domestic Club Competitions and Structured Academies.
Heritage Players: Scouting for professional players who are eligible to represent Uganda within the provisions of the FIFA Statutes and National Laws
Domestic Club Competitions: Improving on the governance, sporting and business functioning of professional club football
Structured Academies: Identifying and nurturing young players through academy structures, youth domestic competitions, and engaging in youth national team competitions.
FUFA hired consultants to identify heritage players and compiled a report listing more than 200 professional players worldwide who are eligible to play for Uganda. The report was submitted to the Head Coach and his technical team, and 20 players have been identified.
FUFA can confirm that 9 of the 20 identified players have arrived and joined the Uganda Cranes contingent at Marriott Hotel in Kampala, ahead of the team’s flight to Hoima today for the crucial AFCON 2027 Qualifier against Libya, and the upcoming international friendlies against DR Congo during this FIFA window.
During Uganda’s 1-1 stalemate against Tunisia last week, Nathan Asiimwe and Noble Okello were the two new faces that featured in the game played in Tunis on Thursday. The other seven new players are Abdoulaye Sissako, Akpan David Udoh, Dieudonne Gaucho Debohi, Souleyman Diaby, Vula Arnold, Kelvin Owusu Boateng and Kingdom Osayi.
Uganda will host Libya on Tuesday in the first ever Africa Cup of Nations qualifier match to be held at Hoima City Stadium.
Profiles of the players followed up by FUFA and available for selection:
1. Abdoulaye Sissako – Midfielder – Sint-Truiden (Belgium)
Born 26 May 1998 in France, Sissako plays in the Belgian Pro League. A former French U18 and U19 international. He is of Malian and Ugandan descent, with his parents born in Mali and his grandmother Sakona born in Kampala, Uganda.
2. Akpan David Udoh – Goalkeeper – Mosta FC (Malta)
Born 18 July 1999, Udoh won the FIFA U-17 World Cup with Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets in 2015. Udoh is eligible for Uganda through his grandparent, Auma, who was born in Busia, Uganda.
3. Dieudonne Gaucho Debohi – Defensive Midfielder/Centre-back – Rakow Czestochowa (Poland)
Born on 15 January 2001, Debohi was born to Ivorian parents from Kouibly, but his maternal grandmother, Tereza Wandera, was born in Majanji, Uganda.
4. Souleyman Diaby – Left-back – FC Winterthur (Switzerland)
Born on 8 October 1999 to Ivorian parents, his maternal grandfather is Sonko Sulaiman from Masaka, Uganda.
5. Vula Arnold – Forward – K. Beerschot VA (Belgium)
Born 26 March 1999, the forward plays in Belgium’s second division. He was born to Congolese parents, but his paternal grandmother was born in Pakwach, Uganda, and his Congolese grandfather lived in the same area.
6. Noble Okello Ayo – Defensive and Central Midfielder, Lexington SC (USA)
Born on 20 July 2000, raised in Toronto, Canada, to parents of Ugandan descent (specifically with Lango roots), the imposing 6-foot-5 midfielder initially represented Canada at the youth level and earned two senior caps for the Canadian National Team in 2020. However, he is eligible to undertake a one-time international allegiance switch under FIFA Regulations. He currently plays in the USL Championship, having been raised in the Toronto FC Academy.
7. Nathan Asiimwe – Right Back/Wing – Salford City (on loan from EFL Championship club Charlton Athletic)
Born on 29 December 2004 in London to Ugandan parents. Asiimwe rose through Charlton Athletic’s youth academy before making headlines by choosing to represent his motherland recently.
8. Kelvin Owusu Boateng – Centre-Forward/Striker – Austria Vienna (Austria)
Born on 24 March 2000, Kelvin was born to Ghanaian parents from Accra, but one of his grandparents was born in Uganda. Standing at 1.84m, he is expected to add physical presence and pace to the Uganda Cranes’ attacking force. He went through the famous Right to Dream Academy.
9. Kingdom Osayi – Goalkeeper – Assyriska FF (Sweden)
Born on 3 June 2004 to Nigerian parents, his maternal grandmother was born in Kaberamaido, Uganda. Standing at 1.98m, he brings youth and height to the Uganda Cranes Goalkeeping Department.
