Nigeria have lost two goalkeeping prospects to Uganda after former Golden Eaglets goalkeeper Akpan Udoh and ex-Enugu Rangers shot-stopper Kingdom Osayi were confirmed among nine players recruited by the Uganda Cranes through eligibility pathways.
The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) confirmed the duo’s international allegiance switch on Sunday as part of a broader strategy to strengthen Uganda’s national teams by identifying professional players eligible to represent the country under FIFA regulations and Ugandan law.
The development gives Uganda two Nigerian-born goalkeepers with contrasting career paths but a shared connection to the Nigerian football system.
Udoh, 27, was part of Nigeria’s victorious U-17 World Cup squad in Chile in 2015, a celebrated generation that also featured future Super Eagles stars Victor Osimhen and Samuel Chukwueze.
Born on July 18, 1999, Udoh was Nigeria’s first-choice goalkeeper as the Golden Eaglets lifted the FIFA U-17 World Cup.
His senior career, however, has taken a different path from that of some of his former teammates.
Udoh currently plays for Mosta FC in the Maltese top flight after continuing his career outside the spotlight of Nigeria’s senior national team.
His eligibility for Uganda comes through his family heritage. According to FUFA, one of his grandparents, Auma, was born in Busia, Uganda.
The move therefore opens a new international chapter for Udoh, who has never made a senior appearance for the Super Eagles.
Kingdom Osayi’s development has been more closely tied to Nigerian domestic football.
The 22-year-old goalkeeper came through the NPFL, representing Heartland FC, MFM, Doma United and Enugu Rangers before moving abroad.
He now plays for Assyriska FF in Sweden’s third tier.
Born on June 3, 2004, to Nigerian parents, Osayi qualifies to represent Uganda through his maternal grandmother, who was born in Kaberamaido.
Standing at 1.98 metres, his physical profile is another factor that attracted the attention of the Ugandan federation.
FUFA highlighted his age and height when announcing the switch, describing Osayi as a player who brings “youth and height” to Uganda’s goalkeeping department.
Unlike Udoh, Osayi has never represented Nigeria at any level, meaning his case does not involve the same international clearance process required for a player with previous national-team appearances.
Although FUFA announced both goalkeepers as part of the group switching allegiance, their international eligibility situations are not identical.
A check of FIFA’s official platform for players who have changed international sporting nationality did not show either Udoh or Osayi on the database at the time of publication.
Osayi’s situation is comparatively straightforward because he has never represented Nigeria internationally. His eligibility is based on his family connection to Uganda.
Udoh’s case is different because of his previous involvement with Nigeria’s youth national teams.
Having represented the Golden Eaglets and been involved with the Flying Eagles, Udoh will require FIFA clearance before he can officially represent Uganda in competitive senior international football.
Neither goalkeeper has yet appeared for the Uganda Cranes.
Once the necessary documentation and eligibility requirements are completed, however, both players could become available for selection.
The loss of two goalkeepers with Nigerian football backgrounds is unlikely to immediately affect the Super Eagles’ senior goalkeeping options.
Stanley Nwabali remains an established international goalkeeper, while Maduka Okoye has also featured for Nigeria. Arthur Okonkwo has meanwhile entered the senior setup.
Nigeria also continues to develop younger goalkeepers through the domestic game.
NPFL prospects such as Ikorodu City’s Michael Atata and Sporting Lagos’ Ebenezer Harcourt are among the emerging goalkeeping talents who could push for senior international recognition if their careers continue to progress.
For Udoh, the switch represents a major change in international direction.
The goalkeeper who once stood between the posts for Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets on football’s biggest youth stage will now seek to establish himself with the Uganda Cranes.
For Osayi, the move offers an opportunity to begin his senior international career with Uganda after developing through the Nigerian domestic system and subsequently moving to Sweden.
Both goalkeepers have now chosen a different international path.
Their eventual roles with Uganda will depend on the completion of their eligibility processes and subsequent selection, but their recruitment underlines the Cranes’ efforts to strengthen their goalkeeping options by tapping into players with Ugandan family connections.