Super Eagles: How Nigeria lost ex-NPFL star Kingdom Osayi to Uganda

Nigeria have missed out on another player who could have boosted the Super Eagles, with former Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) goalkeeper Kingdom Osayi now representing Uganda.

The 22-year-old made his competitive international debut for the Cranes on Saturday, November 14, in their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Botswana at Hoima City Stadium.

Osayi replaced veteran goalkeeper Denis Onyango in the 41st minute after the experienced shot-stopper picked up an injury. The former Rangers International goalkeeper made several important saves after the break to help Uganda earn a 1-1 draw.

Thank you God for everything you've done for me. Official debut for my Country. @UgandaCranes pic.twitter.com/4kAfuRDj5W

— Kingdom Osayi (@KingdomO14622) November 15, 2026

It was his second appearance for the Cranes after making his senior debut in an international friendly against DR Congo on October 5. That match also ended 1-1.

How Nigeria’s Super Eagles lost Kingdom Osayi to Uganda

Born in Surulere, Lagos, on June 3, 2004, Osayi developed his goalkeeping skills at Medallion Football Academy and FC Bethel International before progressing through Nigerian football.

He featured for Heartland and Giant Brillers before joining MFM FC, where he spent three years between 2019 and 2022.

Osayi made his name at Doma United during the 2023-2024 NPFL season, keeping 15 clean sheets in 29 appearances. He also went 540 minutes without conceding a goal, earning Player of the Month recognition and attracting calls for a Super Eagles invitation.

Despite the attention surrounding his performances, Nigeria, still basking in the euphoria of a 3-1 win over Tanzania, never handed him a senior cap.

He joined Rangers International in 2024 before moving to Swedish club Assyriska FF in 2025.

Although born and raised in Nigeria, Osayi qualifies for Uganda through his maternal grandmother, who was born in Kaberamaido. He accepted an invitation from the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) in September 2026.

Uganda will face Botswana again in Gaborone on November 17, with Osayi in contention to start if Onyango is unavailable.

Osayi follows Ikpeazu’s path to Uganda

Osayi is not the first player with Nigerian roots to choose Uganda over Nigeria. Former Watford and Middlesbrough striker Uche Ikpeazu also took that route after deciding to represent the Cranes at senior international level.

Born in Harrow, London, to a Nigerian father from Delta State and a Ugandan mother, Ikpeazu also spent part of his childhood in Lagos.

He was eligible to represent England, Nigeria’s Super Eagles and Uganda and received an invitation to a Nigeria U-23 training camp in 2014. However, he eventually opted for Uganda, making his senior debut in September 2025.

Ikpeazu explained that the competition for attacking positions in the Nigerian national team would make it difficult for him to secure regular playing time.

He went on to represent Uganda at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, wearing the number nine shirt.

The former Blackpool and Ross County striker, 31, scored Uganda’s equaliser in their 1-1 draw against Tanzania in the group stage. He also started against Nigeria in their final group match, but the Cranes lost 3-1 to the Super Eagles and exited the tournament.