Experienced forward Karl Anthony Uchechukwu Mubiru Ikpeazu has finally arrived in Uganda ahead of his much-anticipated international debut for the Uganda Cranes.
Ikpeazu, who features for Scotland side St. Johnstone, is part of head coach Paul Put’s squad preparing for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Mozambique and Somalia on September 5 and 8 respectively at the Mandela National Stadium, Namboole.
This is the first time Ikpeazu has honored a national team call-up, having previously turned down several invitations since 2014, over a decade ago.
Uchechukwu Ikpeazu Mubiru is in the Country for the two FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers pic.twitter.com/4VTuwXtRsa
— Uganda Cranes (@UgandaCranes) September 1, 2025
He was first summoned by then-coach Johnathan McKinstry for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in March 2020, but those matches were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Subsequent call-ups under Milutin “Micho” Sredojević in April 2022 and again in May 2024 were also declined, with Ikpeazu preferring to focus on his club commitments at the time.
Ikpeazu brings valuable experience to the team, having featured for over 15 clubs, including Middlesbrough, Reading, Watford, Cardiff City, Hearts, Wycombe, Port Vale, and Konyaspor.
He is expected to compete for a starting berth with the likes of Jude Ssemugabi, Denis Omedi, John Paul Dembe, Steven Mukwala and Allan Okello.
