Ugandan international striker Uche Ikpeazu has provided detailed reasoning behind his decision to represent the Cranes of Uganda instead of the Super Eagles of Nigeria, the nation of his father's birth.
The Career Choice: Uganda Over Nigeria
The 30-year-old forward, who plays for Scottish club Saint Johnstone, was born in London to a Nigerian father and a Ugandan mother. This heritage made him eligible for three national teams: England, Nigeria, and Uganda.
Ikpeazu revealed that while there was interest from Nigeria earlier in his career—notably an invitation to the U23 camp from coach Samson Siasia in 2014—the fierce competition for places in the Nigerian attack ultimately influenced his path.
"Nigeria has an abundance of quality players," Ikpeazu told Soccernet.ng. "Competing with talents like Victor Osimhen and Akor meant it would have been extremely difficult for me to earn consistent playing time with the Super Eagles."
He made his senior debut for Uganda in a 4-0 victory over Mozambique during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers and earned a spot in their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations squad.
AFCON Impact and Nigerian Roots
Ikpeazu first captured the attention of Nigerian fans when he scored on his AFCON debut, netting Uganda's sole goal in a draw against Tanzania. A player with two prominent Igbo names scoring for another nation sparked widespread discussion.
Despite his international allegiance, Ikpeazu maintains strong ties to Nigeria. He confirmed he spent part of his youth growing up in Lagos and expressed a deep fondness for the country's cuisine.
"I miss home-cooked Nigerian meals like Eba, Ogbono, and egusi soup," the striker admitted, highlighting his continued cultural connection.
He also named Nigerian legend Austin Jay-Jay Okocha as his football idol and current Super Eagles star Victor Osimhen as his favourite contemporary player.
High-Stakes Clash and Historical Context
Ikpeazu's revelations come ahead of a crucial AFCON Group C finale where Uganda will face Nigeria on Tuesday, December 30. The match will decide Uganda's fate in the tournament, as they require a positive result and favourable outcomes elsewhere to advance.
Uganda coach Paul Put has acknowledged the need for a "big result" against the Super Eagles. Historically, the Cranes have performed respectably against Nigeria, but the Super Eagles' motivation and experienced squad present a significant challenge.
Former South Africa captain Bongani Khumalo, who played with Ikpeazu at Doncaster Rovers, expressed surprise at the striker's choice, having expected him to eventually feature for Nigeria based on their past conversations.
Reflecting on his decision, Ikpeazu emphasized divine timing and opportunity: "Honestly, I wouldn't even have the opportunity to play at this AFCON if I hadn't made the choice to represent Uganda."
