Experienced forward Emmanuel Okwi has called time on his international career after 16 years of service to the Uganda national football team. Okwi announced his retirement on Tuesday, through his social media accounts, bringing to an end his illustrious time with the Uganda Cranes, where he bowed out as the all-time top scorer. “Representing my country on the international stage has been a fulfilling dream that came true. Donning the Ugandan Cranes shirt always felt a special feeling and captaining was an absolute honour,” wrote Okwi. ##NAJAVA_MECA_8789835##Given the emergence of young talents, the 32-year-old feels the time is ripe to pave the way for the younger generation. “An exciting new era of Ugandan football is coming with East Africa hosting the CHAN later this August and subsequently the 2027 AFCON with many young footballers coming up. That is why, having cherished all memories, I believe it is time for me to bow out and pave the way for our talented young footballers,” added the former Yanga man. Harambee Stars captain Olunga confident in Kenya’s World Cup qualifying chancesOkwi, who currently plays for Rwandese side Kiyovu Sports made his Cranes debut in March 2009 at the age of 17.The former Simba striker accumulated 95 caps for the Cranes, scoring 28 goals and creating more in the process. Records indicate that 22 of those goals were in competitive matches, with the rest being registered in friendly matches.Okwi was part of the Cranes squad that reached the knockout stages of the 2019 AFCON finals in Egypt. The forward, who was handed the captain’s armband in 2021, scored twice in the tournament against DR Congo and Zimbabwe. Kenya U17 midfielder’s promise to Kenyans ahead of Cameroon clashHe inherited the armband from Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Dennis Onyango, who retired in 2021.He last played for the team in 2023 during the hunt for a ticket to the AFCON finals staged in February last year in Ivory Coast. His last match was against Algeria where Cranes lost 2-1.
