![sports-logo](https://sports.mtn.co.ug/wp-content/themes/mtn-vivid-sports/assets/images/sports-logo.png"){kind=logo}
Athletics
Netball
About MTN Sports
Cycling
Golf
More Sports
Newsroom
Rugby
Uganda Cranes started training in preparation for the international friendly match against South Africa scheduled for June 12.
Fourteen players turned up for the two-hour session held at the MTN Omondi Stadium overseen by conducted by the head coach Abdallah Mubiru alongside the assistant Charles Livingstone Mbabazi and goalkeeping coach Fred Kajoba.
The training session was focused on technique and tactics as the rebuilding process for a new Uganda Cranes team starts.
Mubiru was pleased with the response of players summoned as regards fitness, confidence and dedication.
“We have started our training sessions today in preparation for the match against South Africa. This is a rebuilding process for the team as most of the senior players retired from the beautiful game on the senior team. I am however happy by the attitude, confidence and fitness of the players on the team,” said Mubiru.
All players and officials were subjected to the mandatory COVID-19 test before entering the residential camp at Cranes Paradise Hotel in Kisaasi.
The team continues with training on Tuesday at Lugogo.
Fred Kajoba has resigned from his job as Vipers head coach with four games to the of the 2020-21 Uganda Premier League season.
The former UPDF FC (then Simba) and Bright Stars FC tactician informed his bosses of his decision after Monday’s training session with Uganda Cranes.
“I have resigned from the Vipers job,” Kajoba confirmed. “When I returned from the Uganda Cranes training on Monday morning, Charles Masembe (Vipers’ Technical Director) asked me to choose between club (Vipers) and national team and I made the decision to stay with Uganda Cranes,” he elaborated.
The straightforward-talking tactician has worked as Uganda Cranes goalkeeping coach since his time with the army side.
“I want to thank Mulindwa for the opportunity he gave me to work at Vipers and wish everyone at the club all the best.”
At Vipers, he won the league title last season and leaves the club third on the log with 56 points, two behind leaders Express FC and in the quarterfinals of the Stanbic Uganda Cup.
MTN Uganda in partnership with BBS Terefayina have launched a bicycle racing competition amongst the 18 counties (Masaza) of Buganda.
The launch took place at the Buganda Kingdom administrative headquarters in Bulange Gardens, Mengo, Kampala.
Dubbed “Kengere ya BBS ne MTN”, the challenge is expected to revive cycling as a competitive sport in the kingdom and return the consequent social benefits to the people in Buganda.
Bicycling, commonly known as Obugaali, is a social event that was enjoyed in Buganda for many years. In the past, the kingdom organized bicycle races across counties; and following a lull, a Buganda Cycling Committee was launched last November to revive the sport in Buganda.
Following the partnership, BBS Terefayina agreed on terms with Kibo Media, to organize the maiden Obugaali Bicycle Challenge under the name “Kengere ya BBS ne MTN” scheduled to take place on the 19th and 20th June 2021 in Buddu, Masaka.
Representation from all the 18 counties of Buganda will be mobilized and transported to Buddu where the challenge will take place. Each county team will comprise 4 men, 2 women, 1 mechanic, and the team manager. These teams have been selected by the Cycling Committee in consultation with the respective County Sports Committees, from the various local competitions they organize.
While launching the bicycle challenge, the General Manager, Sales & Distribution of MTN Uganda, Joseph Bogera, said that MTN is proud to be part of the revival of this sport in Uganda.
“As MTN, we are strongly grounded in the belief that we are good together. We only succeed if the communities in which we operate succeed. Being a partner in development also means that we have a responsibility to support the social-economic opportunities in our communities like this we’re partnering on with BBS Terefayina as they celebrate 5 years of existence,” said Bogera.
The Chairman of the Board of BBS Terefayina, Fabian Kasi, thanked MTN for reviving this loved sport in the Kingdom and for recognizing the value BBS Terefayina brings to the socio-economic development of Buganda and Uganda in particular.
“Bicycle racing used to be a major feature on Buganda’s social calendar. It is a sport that united our people. We are happy that once again, we shall be able to bring together all the 18 counties of Buganda and revive a healthy experience in the kingdom,” he said.
Kasi reiterated BBS Terefayina’s mandate to bring reliable and informative programmes to the people but also its social corporate investment of giving back to the societies in which they work. He further thanked MTN Uganda for their partnership over the years and pledged to continue working together even beyond their 5-year anniversary.
The rules and regulations governing the Kengere ya BBS ne MTN Bicycle Challenge will be released ahead of the event next month.
While celebrating its 20th anniversary in Uganda, MTN organized bicycle races across Uganda in the districts of Arua, Gulu, Lira, Kabale, Mbarara, Fort Portal, Hoima, and Mbale. The races were warmly welcomed as participants rode from neighboring districts to take part in the races, a great indication of the love for the sport in the country.
The draws for the FIBA Afrobasket 2021 that will take place from 24th August to 5th September have been conducted in Kigali, Rwanda.
Uganda’s Silverbacks will be housed in either Group A or Group D depending on the position they finish in the qualifiers, and if it gets them into the tournament.
Hosts Rwanda are in Group A along with 11-time African champions Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo and the third-place team from Group E of the qualifiers.
Defending champions Tunisia are in Group B with five-time winners Egypt, the Central African Republic, and Guinea.
2015 champions Nigeria are joined by Ivory Coast, Mali, and Kenya who are returning to the tournament for the first time since 1993 when they finished fourth.
Senegal, the 2017 bronze medalists, are joined by Cameroon, debutants South Sudan and the second finisher in Group E of the qualifiers.
Fate of Group E Qualifiers
FIBA made a decision on the fate of the AfroBasket 2021 Qualifiers games that were not played during the last window due to health-related reasons.
Matches involving Silverbacks were postponed after it was reported that Uganda’s camp had several positive tests for Covid-19.
According to a statement released by FIBA, the games will be played between June 15 and July 15 at a venue yet to be determined.
AfroBasket 2021 Groups
- A – Rwanda, Angola, DR Congo, 3rd Group E Qualifiers
- B – Tunisia, Egypt, Central Africa Republic, Guinea
- C – Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Mali, Kenya
- D – Senegal, Cameroon, 2nd Group E Qualifiers, South Sudan
Uganda long distance runner Joshua Cheptegei is excited to be drawing closer to the 10,000m Tokyo Olympics event this year.
The 24-year-old broke Kenenisa Bekele’s 10,000m world record last year in Valencia having run 26:11.00 to improve it by more than 6 seconds.
With the Olympics set to get uderway on 23 July, Cheptegei is relishing the opportunity to show the World how good he is.
“Today marks 100 days until the start of the 10,000m at the Olympics in Tokyo,” he wrote on his Instagram page.
He added; “I’m really looking forward to this big goal, we will keep working hard in the next months to make Uganda proud ?? #silverback gorilla.”
Cheptegei has won 10,000m gold at 2014 World Junior Championships, 2015 African Junior Championships, 2018 Commonwealth Games, 2019 Doha World Championships and silver at the 2017 World Championships.
- Express 0-0 KCCA
Express Football Club and KCCA Football Club played to a goalless stalemate in the first leg of the 2021 Uganda Cup quarterfinals at Wankulukuku.
In a game of few scoring chances, the hosts will be the most aggrieved having been denied by Charles Lukwago late in the second half when he parried a well-taken free-kick by on form Eric Kambale.
The Red Eagles who are eyeing the league and cup double for the first time since 1995 also missed a good chance when skipper Enoch Walusimbi missed a free header off a Godfrey Lwesibawa corner.
Charles Lwanga who led the line in the absence of injured Sadat Anaku had the best opportunity for KCCA, heading just over the bar from Steven Sserwadda cross.
The result implies that Express will need at least a scoring draw in the return leg to advance while KCCA needs any kind of victory to reach the semifinals.
Another goalless draw will demand that kicks from the penalty mark separate the record cup holders.
Emmanuel Okwi has been handed the Uganda Cranes armband following the retirement of Denis Onyango who had been skippering the national side.
The first assignment for the Al Ittihad Alexandria striker will the international friendly game against the Bafana Bafana of South Africa on June 12.
The former SC Villa and Simba striker is the most experienced in the squad that was summoned for the friendly having been in the national team set up for nearly a decade.
Okwi who played at the two Africa Cup of Nations in 2017 and 2019 says it is an honour to captain he Uganda Cranes.
“Representing Uganda is a privilege that I don’t take for granted. I am deeply honoured to be named captain by the Uganda Cranes coach. I appreciate the technical bench and my teammates for their trust. I also thank all fans for their continued support to the national team,” he said.
Interim head coach Abdallah Mubiru summoned the squad for the friendly with a numbers of players getting their first summon to the senior team.
The Provisional Squad
Goalkeepers: Ismael Watenga (Chippa United, South Africa), Mathias Kigonya (Azam, Tanzania), Charles Lukwago (KCCA, Uganda), Simon Tamale (Soltilo Bright Stars, Uganda)
Defenders: Elvis Bwomono (South End, England), Mustapha Kizza (Montreal Impact, Canada), Murushid Juuko (Express, Uganda), Patrick Paul Mbowa (URA, Uganda), Gavin Kizito Mugweri (SC Villa, Uganda), Azizi Kayondo (Vipers, Uganda), Halid Lwaliwa (Vipers, Uganda), Kenneth Ssemakula (Busoga United, Uganda), Enock Walusimbi (Express, Uganda), Hassan Muhamood (Police, Uganda), Innocent Wafula (Mbarara City, Uganda)
Midfielders: Moses Waiswa (SuperSport United, South Africa), Tadeo Lwanga (Simba, Tanzania), Abdu Lumala (Pyramids, Egypt), Bobosi Byaruhanga (Vipers, Uganda), Ivan Sserubiri (URA, Uganda), Bright Anukani (KCCA, Uganda), Shafik Kagimu (URA, Uganda), Isma Mugulusi (Busoga United, Uganda), Ibrahim Orit (Vipers, Uganda), Joseph Akandwanaho (Soltilo Bright Stars, Uganda)
Forwards: Emmanuel Okwi (Al Ittihad Alexandria Club, Egypt), Allan Okello (Paradou AC, Algeria), Patrick Kaddu (Youssoufia Berrechid, Morocco), Yunus Sentamu (Vipers, Uganda), Richard Basangwa (Vipers, Uganda), Derrick Kakooza (Police, Uganda), Erick Kambale (Express, Uganda)
Uganda Cranes coach Abdallah Mubiru has summoned a squad of 34 players to start training ahead of an International Friendly against South Africa.
The Cranes will face the Bafana Bafana on June 10 in South Africa.
The squad has a number of players that are yet to feature for the national team as Bright Stars duo of goalkeeper Simon Tamale and forward Joseph Akandwanaho, URA’s towering defensive midfielder Ivan Sserubiri, Mbarara City’s Innocent Wafula, Express captain Enoch Walusimbi and forward Eric Kambale.
Uganda Hippos stars Gavin Kizito Mugweri, Kenneth Ssemakula, Richard Basangwa, Isma Mugulusi and Derrick Kakooza have been included following their impressive performance during the AFCON U20 Championship.
Emmanuel Okwi, the most senior player in the squad, will captain the team.
The Squad
Goalkeepers: Ismael Watenga (G.K), Charles Lukwago, Simon Tamale, Mathias Kigonya
Defenders: Elvis Bwomono, Innocent Wafula, Mustapha Kizza, Azizi Kayondo, Halid Lwaliwa, Murushid Juuko, Gavn Kizito Mugweri, Kenneth Ssemakula, Patrick Paul Mbowa, Enock Walusimbi, Hassan Muhamood
Midfielders: Tadeo Lwanga, Moses Waiswa Ndohondhi, Bobosi Byaruhanga, Ivan Sserubiri, Bright Anukani, Shafik Kuchi Kagimu, Isma Mugulusi, Abdu Lumala, Ibrahim Orit, Joseph Akandwanaho
Forwards: Emmanuel Arnold Okwi (Captain), Richard Basangwa, Patrick Henry Kaddu, Derrick Kakooza, Yunus Sentamu, Erick Kenzo Kambale, Allan Okello
SC Villa rallied for a vital away goal a stalemate with Vipers in the first leg of the Stanbic Uganda Cup quarterfinal played at the St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende on Tuesday evening.
Towering Ronald Ssekiganda headed home in stoppage time to cancel Lawrence Tezikya’s opener.
There were limited opportunities for Vipers who were on the front foot for most of the game with Ceasar Manzoki and Halid Lwaliwa getting half-chances in the opening forty-five minutes.
The Venoms in search of the breakthrough introduced Milton Karisa, Paul Mucureezi and Tezikya in the second half. Yunus Sentamu headed wide off Karisa’s cross and Tezikya had his shot blocked as Vipers intesified the search for the goal.
Tezikya found the breakthrough for Vipers in the 79th minute, heading in Bobosi Byaruhanga’s cross.
SC Villa responded by introducing forward Francis Olaki for Mohammed Senoga in search of the away goal. Olaki made an impact as his cross from the right was met by Ssekiganda who rose high and above evryone to node home the equalizer in stoppage time.
The return leg will be played on 2nd June 2021 at the Military Barracks Stadium in Bombo.
The 2020-21 Uganda Premier League has been reduced to a three-horse race with four rounds to play.
Express Football Club, URA Sports Club and Vipers Sports Club are three sides with a realistic chance to win first post pandemic title.
Express are top of the table with 58 points, a point ahead of second-placed URA and two clear of third-placed Vipers.
The league takes a two-week break to give for the Uganda Cup quarterfinals and here are the remaining games for each of the title challengers.
Express Football Club (58 Points)
- Wakiso (Away)
- MYDA (Home)
- Bul (Home)
- KCCA (Away)
Vipers Sports Club (56 points)
- Onduparaka (Home)
- Bul (Away)
- Police (Away)
- Kyetume (Home)
URA Sports Club (54 points)
- UPDF (Home)
- Busoga (Away)
- Kitara (Home)
- Wakiso (Away)
- MYDA (Home)