Overview:
Uche Mubiru is expected to make his long-awaited debut if fielded after years of soul searching and tough decisions to play for England, Nigeria or Uganda.
The upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers that Uganda Cranes will encounter against Mozambique and Somalia present yet another opportunity for a number of players to make a significant mark.
English-born forward Karl Anthony Uchechukwu Mubiru Ikpeazu, 30, is among the pool of players summoned for national duty by head coach Paul Joseph Put and his technical staff.
Mubiru is expected to make his long-awaited debut if fielded after years of soul searching and tough decisions to play for England, Nigeria or Uganda.
Born in Harrow, England, to a Nigerian mother and Ugandan father, Mubiru has been previously summoned to the Uganda Cranes team but has not yet had the opportunity to play.
Now featuring for Scottish entity, St Johnstone football club, Mubiru is poised to make the long-awaited debut in the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Striker Uche Ikpeazu has earned a call-up to the Uganda squad for upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers….. Congratulations, Uche!
St Johnstone Football Club statement
His summon is timely, coming at a moment when he scored the winning goal in St Johnstone’s recent league game against Ross County in Dingwall.
He is among the nine forwards on the provisional 28-man squad preparing for the two matches at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole.
Mubiru brings physicality, urgency and maturity to the Uganda Cranes team.
Other forwards:
Vietnam-based Joseph Mpande, AC Hackens’ striker John Paul Dembe (Sweden), Rogers Mato (Macedonia), Denis Omedi (Rwanda), Jude Ssemugabi (Kitara), Patrick Jonah Kakande and Allan Okello (Vipers) are the other forward players on the provisional team.
Midfielders:
The midfielders include Ronald Ssekiganda, Kenneth Ssemukula, Joel Sserunjogi, Abdu Karim Watambala and Travis Mutyaba.
Defenders:
The defenders entail Rogers Torach, Toby Sibbick, Herbert Bockhorn, Hillary Mukundane, Jordan Obita Aziizi Kayondo, Herbert Achayi, Gavin Kizito, Elio Capradossi and Elvis Bwomono.
Goalkeepers:
The team also has the returning goalkeeper Denis Onyango, Salim Omar Magoola, Nafian Alionzi and Joe Mutakubwa.
Uganda Cranes face Mozambique on 5th September 2025 at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole in Group G.
Three days later, Uganda Cranes will play Somalia on 8th September 2025 at the same venue.
Algeria currently leads group G with 15 points, Mozambique follows with 12; Uganda and Botswana have 9 points apiece, Guinea on 7 and Somalia has managed a point from the 6 matches played so far.
