Elio Capradossi: The Defender Who Chose Uganda Over Italy.
Following his first cap at the national team under the Belgian coach Paul Put, Eltio Capradossi looked strong, smart and had a nice game interpretation against Botswana (the zebra) in the crnaes 1-0 win at the new renovated Mandela National Stadium.
His back pairing with Halid Lwalilwa at the back looked solid and the starting from the back. Elio looked to have been built to have his confidence and calmness in the back and his presence in the cranes backline yielded positivity.
Why I choose Uganda?
Talented defender Elio Capradossi has recently opened up about his decision to switch his football allegiance from Italy to Uganda. Capradossi, who is based in Italy, has garnered significant attention and admiration for his outstanding performance in guiding the Uganda Cranes to a 1-0 victory over Botswana in a World Cup qualifier match at Namboole. His calmness, composure, and intelligence on the field have endeared him to many Ugandans.
Capradossi, 28, revealed in a recent interview with the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) that a call from Uganda National Team head coach Paul Put convinced him to make the switch. “I had an opportunity to play for Italy because I was already in the setup, having played for the Junior National Teams but never made it to the senior team. Recently, Coach Paul Put called and he told me there is this possibility of playing for Uganda and asked if I would take up the opportunity of being part of this team,” Capradossi said.
Despite missing out on the chance to play for the Italian senior national team, Capradossi expressed excitement about joining the Uganda national team and making his family proud. “I was very proud to receive this call. They (family) were very happy, especially my father. He is a football fan and my number one fan too. That is why he also came to watch me making my debut for Uganda. So it is very good for me and my family as well.”
Born in Kampala with Italian roots, Capradossi’s career has seen him play for various clubs in Italy, with recent stints in Serie B clubs before joining Serie C club Lecco. He has previously played for Spezia, Cagliari, and Bari, among other clubs. A product of Roma’s youth academy, Capradossi captained Roma’s U19 team to victory in the 2015–2016 Italian U19 Championship.
Capradossi’s decision to represent Uganda is not only a personal triumph but also a significant boost for the Uganda national team, adding depth and experience to their defense. His journey from Italy to Uganda underscores the global nature of football and the personal connections that drive players’ decisions.
Nationals will expect the same play as they take on Algeria today at Mandela National Stadium Kampala.
Algeria, Botswana, Guinea and Uganda remain tight on six points from three matches. Algeria remain at the top with goal difference.