AFCON 2027 Qualifiers: FUFA Unveils 9 Heritage Gamers For Uganda Cranes

David GOMBE

FUFA has launched into a three-fold strategy for the quick and long run improvement of the nationwide crew:

The three fold strategy contains Heritage Gamers, Home Membership Competitions and Structured Academies.

Heritage Gamers: Scouting for skilled gamers who’re eligible to symbolize Uganda inside the provisions of the FIFA Statutes and Nationwide Legal guidelines

Home Membership Competitions: Bettering on the governance, sporting and enterprise functioning {of professional} membership soccer

Structured Academies: Figuring out and nurturing younger gamers by way of academy buildings, youth home competitions, and interesting in youth nationwide crew competitions.

FUFA employed consultants to establish heritage gamers and compiled a report itemizing greater than 200 skilled gamers worldwide who’re eligible to play for Uganda. The report was submitted to the Head Coach and his technical crew, and 20 gamers have been recognized.

FUFA can verify that 9 of the 20 recognized gamers have arrived and joined the Uganda Cranes contingent at Marriott Lodge in Kampala, forward of the crew’s flight to Hoima as we speak for the essential AFCON 2027 Qualifier in opposition to Libya, and the upcoming worldwide friendlies in opposition to DR Congo throughout this FIFA window.

Throughout Uganda’s 1-1 stalemate in opposition to Tunisia final week, Nathan Asiimwe and Noble Okello have been the 2 new faces that featured within the sport performed in Tunis on Thursday. The opposite seven new gamers 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 within the first ever Africa Cup of Nations qualifier match to be held at Hoima Metropolis Stadium.

Profiles of the gamers adopted up by FUFA and accessible for choice:

1. Abdoulaye Sissako – Midfielder – Sint-Truiden (Belgium)

Born 26 Could 1998 in France, Sissako performs within the Belgian Professional League. A former French U18 and U19 worldwide. He’s of Malian and Ugandan descent, along with his dad and mom born in Mali and his grandmother Sakona born in Kampala, Uganda.

2. Akpan David Udoh – Goalkeeper – Mosta FC (Malta)

Born 18 July 1999, Udoh received the FIFA U-17 World Cup with Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets in 2015. Udoh is eligible for Uganda by way of 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 dad and mom from Kouibly, however 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 dad and mom, his maternal grandfather is Sonko Sulaiman from Masaka, Uganda.

5. Vula Arnold – Ahead – Ok. Beerschot VA (Belgium)

Born 26 March 1999, the ahead performs in Belgium’s second division. He was born to Congolese dad and mom, however his paternal grandmother was born in Pakwach, Uganda, and his Congolese grandfather lived in the identical space.

6. Noble Okello Ayo – Defensive and Central Midfielder, Lexington SC (USA)

Born on 20 July 2000, raised in Toronto, Canada, to oldsters of Ugandan descent (particularly with Lango roots), the imposing 6-foot-5 midfielder initially represented Canada on the youth degree and earned two senior caps for the Canadian Nationwide Group in 2020. Nevertheless, he’s eligible to undertake a one-time worldwide allegiance change underneath FIFA Rules. He presently performs within the USL Championship, having been raised within the Toronto FC Academy.

7. Nathan Asiimwe – Proper Again/Wing – Salford Metropolis (on mortgage from EFL Championship membership Charlton Athletic)

Born on 29 December 2004 in London to Ugandan dad and mom. Asiimwe rose by way of Charlton Athletic’s youth academy earlier than making headlines by selecting to symbolize his motherland just lately.

8. Kelvin Owusu Boateng – Centre-Ahead/Striker – Austria Vienna (Austria)

Born on 24 March 2000, Kelvin was born to Ghanaian dad and mom from Accra, however certainly one of his grandparents was born in Uganda. Standing at 1.84m, he’s anticipated so as to add bodily presence and tempo to the Uganda Cranes’ attacking power. He went by way of the well-known Proper to Dream Academy.

9. Kingdom Osayi – Goalkeeper – Assyriska FF (Sweden)

Born on 3 June 2004 to Nigerian dad and mom, his maternal grandmother was born in Kaberamaido, Uganda. Standing at 1.98m, he brings youth and top to the Uganda Cranes Goalkeeping Division.