Uganda Cranes Welcome Nine Heritage Players to National Camp

The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) has confirmed that nine heritage players have joined the Uganda Cranes contingent at the Marriott Hotel in Kampala. They form part of a broader strategy to strengthen the national team ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which Uganda will co-host with Kenya and Tanzania.

FUFA hired consultants who identified more than 200 professional players worldwide eligible to represent Uganda under FIFA statutes and national laws. From that list, 20 players were shortlisted for the technical team led by head coach Paul Put. Nine of them have already arrived and will travel with the squad to Hoima for the AFCON 2027 qualifier against Libya, before the international friendlies against DR Congo.

The nine players are:

1. Abdoulaye Sissako – Midfielder, Sint-Truiden (Belgium). Born 26 May 1998 in France. Former French U18 and U19 international. Of Malian and Ugandan descent; his grandmother Sakona was born in Kampala.
2. Akpan David Udoh – Goalkeeper, Mosta FC (Malta). Born 18 July 1999. FIFA U-17 World Cup winner with Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets in 2015. Eligible through his grandparent Auma, born in Busia, Uganda.
3. Dieudonne Gaucho Debohi – Defensive midfielder/centre-back, Raków Częstochowa (Poland). Born 15 January 2001 to Ivorian parents. Maternal grandmother Tereza Wandera was born in Majanji, Uganda.
4. Souleyman Diaby – Left-back, FC Winterthur (Switzerland). Born 8 October 1999 to Ivorian parents. Maternal grandfather Sonko Sulaiman is from Masaka, Uganda.
5. Vula Arnold – Forward, K. Beerschot VA (Belgium). Born 26 March 1999 to Congolese parents. Paternal grandmother was born in Pakwach, Uganda.
6. Noble Okello Ayo – Defensive/central midfielder, Lexington SC (USA). Born 20 July 2000 and raised in Toronto to parents of Ugandan (Lango) descent. Previously capped by Canada at senior level; eligible for a one-time switch under FIFA rules.
7. Nathan Asiimwe – Right-back/wing-back, Salford City (on loan from Charlton Athletic). Born 29 December 2004 in London to Ugandan parents. Charlton Athletic academy product who has already chosen to represent Uganda.
8. Kelvin Owusu Boateng – Centre-forward, Austria Vienna (Austria). Born 24 March 2000 to Ghanaian parents. One grandparent was born in Uganda. Right to Dream Academy graduate who adds physical presence and pace.
9. Kingdom Osayi – Goalkeeper, Assyriska FF (Sweden). Born 3 June 2004 to Nigerian parents. Maternal grandmother was born in Kaberamaido, Uganda. Stands 1.98m and brings height and youth to the goalkeeping unit.

FUFA’s three-pronged plan also includes improving domestic club competitions and developing structured academies to nurture local talent. The heritage push is designed to give coach Paul Put deeper squad options with professional experience from Europe, North America and elsewhere while building cohesion for the AFCON 2027 finals.

The Cranes face Libya in Hoima on 29 September 2026 and will then play two friendlies against DR Congo in early October. Engagements and documentation for the remaining 11 identified players continue under FIFA regulations. Supporters have largely welcomed the added competition and quality, even as some debate the strength of the generational links. For FUFA, the focus remains clear: expand the talent pool and prepare a competitive side for the tournament Uganda will help host.