Uganda Cranes captain, Emmanuel Okwi, has officially announced his retirement from international football.
The talented forward shared the news via his social media platforms.
In his statement, Okwi expressed his deep appreciation for representing his country:
“Representing Uganda on the international stage has always been a fulfilling dream. Wearing the Uganda Cranes jersey was always an honor, and captaining the team was an absolute privilege. As East Africa prepares for the upcoming CHAN tournament this August and the AFCON 2027, I believe it’s time for me to step aside and allow the younger talents to rise. While cherishing all the wonderful memories, I feel this is the right moment for me to retire and make way for the next generation.”
Okwi continued to thank those who supported him throughout his career: “I will always cherish the love shown to me by the fans. My special thanks go to my family, Coach Bobby Williamson, who gave me my debut, all the coaches I worked with, and the leadership at FUFA for the wonderful opportunities.”
At 32 years old, Okwi has represented Uganda 95 times since his debut in 2009, scoring 28 goals during his international career. Of these, 22 were in competitive matches, a record for any Ugandan footballer.
Okwi’s notable contributions include his participation in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, where he scored two goals — one against DR Congo and another against Zimbabwe. After Denis Onyango’s retirement in 2021, Okwi was named the captain of the Uganda Cranes. His most recent appearance for the team came in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers.
Currently playing for Kiyovu SC, Okwi’s club career has seen him represent several teams, including SC Villa, Simba SC, Young Africans, Etoile du Sahel, SonderjyskE, Al Ittihad, Al Zawra’a, and Erbil SC.
