Moreland City striker Apai Ukuno has received a call up to the South Sudan national team for their upcoming African Cup of Nations qualifiers against Benin.
The 24-year-old has been in stellar form for City since his move to Victoria, scoring seven goals in the opening four matches and developed an effective strike partnership with Trent Rixon in the process.
His lighting fast start to life at Campbell Reserve has seen Ukuno notch up braces against Ballarat, Bendigo and more recently St Albans Saints while also scoring on debut against Sunshine.
Although hailing from South Sudan – the world’s newest state following their independence from Sudan in 2011 – Ukuno spent much of his life in the Libyan capital of Tripoli.
He immigrated to Australia and made a name for himself with Brisbane-based sides Eastern Suburbs and Rocklea United before joining Welsh Premier League club Gap Connah’s Quay Nomads.
He returned to Queensland mid-way through last year where he featured for league powerhouse Brisbane Strikers, featuring in their FFA Cup Round of 32 defeat at the hands of Hume City.
“I am thrilled to have been selected for the national team and this time round, I am more determined to make [an appearance],” said Ukuno via press release.
“I’ve been playing well for Moreland City and I believe I have a better chance of getting game time after scoring regularly this season.
“I think it really comes down to the quality of our team and our style of play which really works well with how I like to go about my football.”
“This season, nothing can be taken for granted. I believe we are progressing in the right direction and that our performances are improving each week” added the forward on his club side.
Ukuno was initially called up for the Bright Stars in October last year but did not take to the pitch in their two fixtures against Mauritania.
He is one of four Australian based players representing South Sudan, along with Perth-based trio Kiir Akeng Akot Dhiel, Chol Dhuor Ngor and Friday Zico.
South Sudan are currently second in their group behind the more-fancied Mali and are coming off their maiden competitive victory over the Equatorial Guinea in September last year.
The 140th ranked side are coached by Lee Sung-Jea, the first ever Asian Manager of an African country and face a tough task of maintaining their second-place position in Group C.
Next they face a Stephane Sessegnon led Benin side in the national capital of Juba on March 25 before a return leg in the West African nation on March 28.
Ukuno becomes the third NPL player in the space of 12 months to earn a call-up for an African National Team following Richmond defender Joshua Valadon and former Kingston City midfielder Laurent Coralie who represented Mauritius on separate occasions in 2015.