When Uganda Cranes take on Tanzania and Madagascar in the upcoming June international transfer window, midfielder Noble Okello Ayo is one of the rookies expected to earn their maiden cap with the Uganda Cranes.
The midfielder, born and raised in Canada (to Ugandan parents) has previously featured for all Canada underage teams (U-17, U-20 and U-21) as well as the senior national team for two times in 2020.
Now featuring for the USL championship outfit Indy Eleven, Okello, 25, commenced his youth career at North York Hearts aged six years old before moving to Mooredale and later featured for Toronto III, Toronto II and promoted to the senior side at Toronto Football Club.
In September 2020, Danish first division club Herfølge Boldklub Køge secured the 6.5 feet midfielder on a season long loan.
He also featured for New England Revolution II, Atlanta United 2, Phoenix Rising and now at Indy Eleven.
Okello brings to Uganda Cranes midfield a new skill set with enviable technical discipline and a commanding physical presence.
He is known for his set piece expertise, exceptional timely tackles, possession play and strength in all aerial duels.
Okello aside, other players on the squad expected to get their first senior cap include Charlton Athletic’s Nathan Asiimwe, goalkeeper David Lukwago, Raymon Barasa Mangoli, Geoffrey Lubangakene, Joseph Seremba and Hassan Mubiru.
Uganda Cranes play neighbours Tanzania on 5th June 2026. Three days later, Uganda shall then face Madagascar.
Both fixtures are to be played in Morocco.
About Noble Okello:
Noble Okello Ayo was born in Toronto, Ontario in Canada. He has been part of the Toronto FC youth system since the age of 12.
On 20 August 2017, he was part of the U17 side that beat Juventus U17 to capture the inaugural International Youth Soccer Cup in dramatic fashion.
Okello’s uncle, Anthony Atine is a Brampton, Ontario resident who is originally from Uganda and has been the president of the Canada-Africa Soccer Friendship Association.
His cousin, Tony Awor, is a UK-based football agent and consultant. Awor, is also a distant cousin of Ugandan former captain and star player David Obua.
He played for the Canada senior national team with two caps having graduated from the U-17, U-20 and U-23 underage teams.
Uganda Cranes squad:
Goalkeepers: Hannington Ssebwalunyo – NEC FC (Uganda), David Lukwago – SC Villa (Uganda), Joel Mutakubwa – Adigrat University FC (Ethiopia)
Defenders: Herbert Bockhorn – FC Magdeburg (Germany), Nathan Asiimwe – Charlton Athletic FC (England), Raymon Barasa Mangoli – SC Villa (Uganda), Jordan Obita – Hibernian FC (Scotland), Geoffrey LubangaKene – SC Villa (Uganda), Hilary Mukundane – Vipers SC (Uganda), Aziz Kayondo – Slovan Liberec (Czech Republic), Herbert Achayi – KCCA FC (Uganda)
Midfielders: Joseph Seremba – NEC FC (Uganda), Bobosi Byaruhanga – Oakland Roots SC (USA), Alhassan Baba – FCSB (Romania), Travis Mutyaba – CS Sfaxien (Tunisia), Abdu Karim Watambala – Vipers SC (Uganda)
Attackers: Allan Okello – Young Africans SC (Tanzania), James Bogere – Aarhus AGF (Denmark), Rogers Mato – Hearts FC (Scotland), Sammy Ssebadduka – KCCA FC (Uganda), Hassan Mubiru – SC Villa (Uganda), Steven Mukwala – Al-Nasr SC (Libya), Frank Ssebufu – SC Villa (Uganda), Allan Oyirwoth – New England Revolution FC (USA), Richard Basangwa – NEC FC (Uganda), Noble Okello – Indy Eleven FC (USA), Arafat Usama Kiza – Vipers SC (Uganda) and Ivan Ahimbisibwe – KCCA FC (Uganda).
