Defender Murushid Juuko has retired from International football, the Express FC player has confirmed.
It’s a shocking development for Juuko who made his Uganda Cranes debut on 11 July 2014 against Seychelles.
In his resignation letter sent to FUFA, Juuko said that “I believe I have served the country enough and it’s time for me to call it a day with Uganda Cranes.”
“This has not been a simple decision for me to make but together with my family and management we think this is the right step for me to take.”
Juuko’s last Uganda Cranes match was on September 6 2021 against Mali in World Cup Qualifiers at Kitende where he was sent off for an elbow.
The defender was later fined Sh20m by FIFA after his red card.
Close sources indicate that Juuko who could not afford to pay the fine, was not happy with the way FUFA handled his situation.
It is said that Juuko visited the FUFA offices in Mengo to see President Moses Magogo over the matter but the meeting was not possible and was referred to National Team officer Paul Mukatabala.
It should be remembered that Magogo, Cranes players and officials pledged to contribute towards the clearance of the fine handed to Juuko by FIFA.
Juuko’s resignation comes as Uganda Cranes is in Asia for a tour. The team held Iceland on Wednesday in their first of five friendly matches.
Juuko added: “I wish the Uganda Cranes the best of luck in their future endeavours and I will now concentrate on my club football with Express.”
Juuko was part of the Uganda Cranes team that beat Comoros to end the 39-year old AFCON Jinx and has represented Uganda at two Africa Cup of Nations tournament – 2017 and 2019.
The rock-solid defender also won the 2015 CECAFA Cup with Uganda Cranes in Ethiopia.
