FUFA's grand plan to improve Uganda National football teams takes shape - FUFA: Federation of Uganda Football Associations

In order to strengthen the Uganda National Teams, FUFA has embarked on a three-fold approach for the short and long term 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 As part of the plan to prepare the Uganda Cranes for the AFCON 2027 Finals, FUFA will use the AFCON Qualifiers as the means to identify and create cohesion among the best Ugandan footballers to represent the country In a move to identify heritage players, consultants were hired 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 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. 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. 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. 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.

Souleyman Diaby - Left-back - FC Winterthur (Switzerland) Born on 8 October 1999 to Ivorian parents, his maternal grandfather is Sonko Sulaiman from Masaka, Uganda. 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. 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.