Wednesday, Mar 19 2025 | Time 14:35 Hrs(IST)
SportsPosted at: Mar 18 2025 8:16PM


Uganda Cranes top striker Okwi retires after 15 years of service

Kampala, Mar 18 (UNI) Uganda's top striker Emmanuel Arnold Okwi on Tuesday announced his retirement from international football.
The 32-year-old has scored the highest number of goals for the national team and plies his trade for Rwanda Premier League side AS Kigali.
"An exciting new era for Ugandan football is coming up with East Africa hosting the CHAN later this August and subsequently the AFCON 2027 with many young footballers coming up. That is why, having cherished all those memories, I believe it is time for me to bow out and pave the way for our talented young football players," said Okwi.
The development comes after Okwi was not invited for the Uganda Cranes's two crucial FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying matches this month against Mozambique and Guinea. He last played for the national team in 2023 during the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
The striker who has also played for teams in Africa, Europe and Asia made it clear that it has been
a fulfilling dream representing his country at international level.
"Donning the Uganda Cranes shirt always left a special feeling and captaining our team was an absolute privilege and honour," he added.
Okwi also thanked coach Bobby Williamson who handed him his debut in 2009, and the leadership of the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA).
"I will always hold close to my heart the love shown to me by all the fans and my special thanks go to my family, Coach Bobby Williamson who handed me a debut, all the successive coaches thereafter with whom we created memories together through thick and thin," he added.
Okwi played for Uganda 95 times since making his debut in 2009, scoring 28 goals in that period. He featured at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, scoring two goals.
In 2021, Okwi was named captain of the Uganda Cranes. Besides featuring for SC Villa in Uganda where he made a name for himself, Okwi also featured for Tanzania Premier League sides, Simba SC, Young Africans SC, Etoile du Sahel (Tunisia), SonderjyskE (Denmark), Al Ittihad (Egypt) and Iraq Premier League sides Al Zawra'a, Erbil SC and now AS Kigali in Rwanda.
UNI/XINHUA BM
Tags: #Uganda Cranes top striker Okwi retires after 15 years of service
More News
Rankings boost for New Zealand following strong start to Pakistan series

Rankings boost for New Zealand following strong start to Pakistan series

19 Mar 2025 | 2:17 PM

Dubai, Mar 19 (UNI) New Zealand's strong start to their ongoing white-ball series against Pakistan has seen a trio of their players make large gains on the latest ICC Men's T20I Player Rankings.

see more..
Australia bracing for full strength T20 World Cup champions New Zealand

Australia bracing for full strength T20 World Cup champions New Zealand

19 Mar 2025 | 1:55 PM

Sydney, Mar 19 (UNI) Australia and New Zealand are set to lock horns in a three-match T20I series starting on March 21.

see more..
Sophie Devine return as New Zealand name squad for Australia T20Is

Sophie Devine return as New Zealand name squad for Australia T20Is

19 Mar 2025 | 1:44 PM

Auckland, Mar 19 (UNI) Sophie Devine makes her comeback following a well-being break, which
had kept her out of the Super Smash, Women’s Premier League, and New Zealand’s recent series against Sri Lanka.

see more..
Rauf urges patience with Pakistan youngsters after successive losses to New Zealand

Rauf urges patience with Pakistan youngsters after successive losses to New Zealand

19 Mar 2025 | 1:02 PM

Dunedin, Mar 19 (UNI) After going 2-0 down in the five-match T20I series against New Zealand, Pakistan’s tearaway pacer Haris Rauf has voiced support for the youngsters in the team, who
have been given a go in the ongoing series.

see more..
UEFA: Real Madrid beat Arsenal in Women's Champions League quarter-final

UEFA: Real Madrid beat Arsenal in Women's Champions League quarter-final

19 Mar 2025 | 12:41 PM

Madrid, Mar 19 (UNI) Arsenal's mistakes were punished as Real Madrid beat them 2-0 in their Women's Champions League quarter-final first leg in soggy conditions at the Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium.

see more..