Nigeria/Uganda: Two Nigerian Goalkeepers Switch Allegiance to Uganda

What the report says

Uganda’s football federation says two Nigerian-born goalkeepers, Akpan Udoh and Kingdom Osayi, have switched their international allegiance to Uganda as part of a wider effort to deepen the talent pool for the Uganda Cranes and other national teams. The report, published by Premium Times and distributed by AllAfrica, says FUFA announced the move on Sunday and linked it to eligibility pathways allowed under FIFA rules and Ugandan law.

Udoh, 27, is the more established name in Nigerian youth football. He was Nigeria’s first-choice goalkeeper at the 2015 U-17 World Cup in Chile, when the Golden Eaglets won the title, and he later continued his club career abroad, including a spell with Mosta FC in Malta. FUFA says he qualifies for Uganda through a grandparent born in Busia, Uganda. Because he previously represented Nigeria at youth level, his switch would need FIFA clearance before he can play competitively for Uganda.

Osayi, 22, came through Nigerian club football with sides including Heartland, MFM, Doma United and Enugu Rangers before moving to Sweden, where he now plays for Assyriska FF. Premium Times reports that he qualifies through a maternal grandmother born in Kaberamaido. Unlike Udoh, he has not represented Nigeria at any level, which makes his path to Uganda more straightforward.

The development does not appear to create an immediate crisis for Nigeria, which still has several senior goalkeeping options. For Uganda, however, it reflects a targeted recruitment strategy aimed at strengthening the squad with players who meet international eligibility requirements.