Uganda Cup 2021:

Final: Vipers 8-1 BUL

Vipers Sports Club clinched the Uganda Cup title after humiliating Jinja based BUL Football Club 8-1 in a completely one sided duel at the FUFA Technical Center, Njeru on Sunday.

Yunus Sentamu dominated the headlines following unfortunate scenes that saw BUL lose their goalkeeper Sanon Mulabi through injury in the second half.

Defender Livingstone Mulondo, tournament top scorer Ceaser Lobi Manzoki (brace) and winger Milton Karisa scored the other goals for Vipers while BUL found a consolation goal through Hamis Tibita with 17 minutes left on the clock.

Mulondo gave Vipers the lead as early as the third minute. Yunus Sentamu doubled the scored in the 26th minute before Manzoki made it three in the 36th minute.

Two minutes later, Manzoki tapped home for a 4-0 half time lead. Sentamu scored a second goal into the final half before completing the hat-trick in the 54th minute.

Karisa came onto the score-sheet with the 7th goal off a deflected free-kick – Sentamu again firing home Vipers’ 8th goal with 23 minutes left on the clock.

Vipers surpassed the record for most goals in a single final of this championship that has been played since 1971 after Express’ 4-1 identical wins over Nile and UEB in 1991 and 1997 respectively.

Individual Accolades:

Vipers claimed all individual accolades with the top scorer Manzoki (7 goals), best midfielder (Bobosi Byaruhanga), goalkeeper Fabien Mutombora and most outstanding defender Livingstone Mulondo.

The final was witnessed by Uganda Cranes head coach Milutin “Micho” Sredojevic, FUFA firs vice president Justus Mugisha, Vipers director and honorary FUFA President Dr. Lawrence Mulindwa, FUFA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Edgar Watson and other dignitaries.

The 2020 edition was cancelled at the quarter final stage because of the Coronavirus pandemic and the 2021 edition was resumed after a five month break (due to COVID-19).

Vipers walked away with Shs. 50,000,000 and the runners up (BUL) taking Shs. 20,000,000.

Team Line Ups:

Vipers XI: Fabien Mutombora (G.K), Paul Willa, Dissan Galiwango, Livingstone Mulondo, Bashir Asiku, Sirajje Ssentamu, Bobosi Byaruhanga, David Bagoole, Milton Karisa, Ceasar Lobi Manzoki, Yunus Sentamu

Subs: Denis Kiggundu (G.K), Allan Kayiwa, Abdul-Azizi Kayondo, Paul Mucureezi, Abdu Karim Watambala, Ibrahim Orit, Dan Sserunkuma

Head coach: Oliviera Alberto

BUL XI: Sanon Mulabi (G.K), Aggrey Madoi, Walter Ochora, Fredson Gwotto, Godfrey Akol, Allan Kiggundu, Owen Mukisa, Simon Peter Oketch, Musa Esenu, Martin Aprem, Joseph Ssemujju

Subs: Hamis Tibita, Richard Wandyaka, Ambrose Kirya, Ibrahim Mugulusi

Head coach: Alex Isabirye

Match officials:

Center Referee: George Olemu
Assistant Referee 1: Mustapha Mafumu
Assistant Referee 2: Ahmed Kakembo
Fourth Official: Lucky Razake Kasalirwe
Referee Assessor: Brian Miiro Nsubuga

Previous Uganda Cup Finals since 1971

1971: Coffee SC 2-1 Army
1972-1975: competition suspended
1976: Gangama United 0-0 Coffee SC (After Extra Time: 4-2)
1977: Simba Walk Over Nytil FC
1978: Nsambya 1-0 UCB
1979: KCC Walk UCB
1980: KCC 2-0 Maroons
1981: Coffee SC 1-1 UCB (5-4 pen)
1982: KCC Vs Nile (Nile walked off in 75′ at 1-0; KCC winners)
1983: SC Villa 1-0 KCC
1984: KCC 3-2 Coffee SC
1985: Express 3-1 KCC
1986: SC Villa 2-0 Tobacco
1987: KCC 1-0 SC Villa
1988: SC Villa 3-1 Express
1989: SC Villa 4-2 Express
1990: KCC 3-0 SC Villa
1991: Express 4-1 Nile
1992: Express 1-0 Nile
1993: KCC 2-1 Dairy Heroes
1994: Express 0-0 KCC (Penalties: 4-3)
1995: Express 2-0 Posta (After Extra Time)
1996: UEB 1-0 Nile
1997: Express 4-1 UEB
1998: SC Villa 2-0 Simba
1999: Dairy Heroes 0-0 Lyantonde FC (Penalties: 3-0)
2000: SC Villa 1-0 Military Police
2001: Express 3-1 Villa
2002: SC Villa 2-1 Express
2003: Express 3-1 Police
2004: KCC 1-1 Express (After Extra Time: 3-2)
2005: URA 2-1 KCC
2006: Express 2-0 Maji
2007: Express 0-0 KCC (After Extra Time: 4-2 pen)
2008: Victors 1-0 Kinyara
2009: Villa 2-1 URA
2010: Victors 1-1 Simba (After Extra Time:5-4 pen)
2011: Simba 2-1 URA
2012: URA 1-0 Bunamwaya
2013: SCVU 1-1 Vipers (After Extra Time:5-3 pen)
2014: URA 2-2 KCC (After Extra Time: 4-2 pen)
2015: SC Villa 3-0 KCC
2016: Vipers SC 3-1 Onduparaka FC
2017: Paidha Black Angels FC 0-2 KCCA FC
2018: KCCA 1-0 Vipers
2019: Proline 1 (5) – 1 (4) Bright Stars (No Extra Time played: 5-4 pen)
2020: Cancelled due to Coronavirus pandemic (at quarter final stage)
2021: Vipers 8-1 BUL

Former Uganda Cranes captain Denis Onyango was solid in goal as Mamelodi Sundowns claimed a 2-0 win over Orlando Pirates on Saturday.

For the stellar performance against rivals, Onyango recieved a lot of praise from Masandawana coach Manqoba Mngqithi.

“One must give credit to Denis, and maybe that’s why he is Africa’s No 1,” Mamelodi Sundowns co-coach Manqoba Mngqithi told media.

“He kept us in the game, and he made some sterling saves. Those saves now look like we had the game in our hands, but the truth of the matter is if he did not make those saves, the game could have turned out differently.”

Namibian-born striker Peter Shalulile did all the damage with a brace but Onyango made sure the two goals remained unanswered.

“They (Sundowns) have a top, top goalkeeper. He should have been the ‘Man of the match – he made two, three top-class saves,” said Pirates assistant coach Fadlu Davids.

“We learnt lessons today and these we have to take. We need to be more clinical in these moments. Sundowns had two moments, and good moments too. They took it, and that was the difference on the day.”

• Uganda Cup Final
• Vipers vs. BUL – 3:00pm, FUFA Technical Center – Njeru

The 2020-21 Uganda Cup comes down to one game as BUL Football Club takes on Vipers Sports Club in the final on Sunday afternoon.

Vipers go into the clash at the FUFA Technical Center in Njeru as favourites but BUL who have punched above their weight can not be taken for granted.

Playing in the finals of the cup for the first time, BUL will be hoping for another upset having beaten Express in the semis.

Vipers will be playing in the fifth cup final having beaten Onduparaka at Nakivubo in 2016 to win their first and only Cup. They lost to URA in 2012 and SC VU the following year (then as Bunamwaya), and fell to KCCA in 2018.

Vipers were barely troubled by Police in the semifinal in a game they won 2-0 but against BUL who have nothing to lose, they face a resilient side.

The match will be live on UBC TV.

Ghana Premier League giants Asante Kotoko have been linked with a move to sign Uganda Cranes striker Steven Mukwala.

The deal is said to have been on the cards since last year but an agreement was not reached reportedly due to astronomical demands from the URA striker.

Mukwala who recently signed with the tax collectors in the just concluded window netted a double against Ethiopian Coffee in CAF Confederation Cup.

He won the StarTimes Uganda Premier League 2019-20 season golden boot with Maroons (on loan from Vipers) with 13 goals in 22 appearances. He was also voted the MTN Fans Player of last season

If the move goes through, the former Ssingo and Bulemeezi player in Masaza Cup is set to join Joseph Ochaya and George Abege as the Ugandans to have played for Asante Kotoko.

Asante Kotoko have been champions of the Ghana Premier League a record 24 times, and have won the CAF Champions League twice in 1970 and 1983.

Uganda Cranes edged the Eastern Region Select side in their Regional Tour match played on Saturday at Mbale Municipal Stadium.

Joachim Ojera scored the only goal of the game in the 52nd minute, with the URA FC winger sliding in a rebound after goalkeeper Edward Kasibante initially kept out Brian Aheebwa’s header off Julius Poloto’s corner.

Julius Poloto and Jude Semugabi had a couple of chances in the opening half for Cranes while at the other end, Nasur Nandala had a penalty shout waved while Emmanuel Mukisa failed to beat Alionzi Nafian in a one-on-one.

Uganda Cranes coach Micho will hopes the Eastern Select team handed his local-based players some good tests as the team kickstart preparations for the Rwanda double-header in the World Cup Qualifiers next month.

“We have started the preparations for the Rwanda game. This game helps us assess the locally-based players before the foreign-based ones will join in. We pick key positives from this game” Micho stated after the game.

Uganda is third in Group E of the World Cup Qualifiers after back-to-back goalless draws against Kenya and Mali.

Team Line-ups

Eastern Region XI: Edward Kasibante (G.K), Stephen Namisi, Peter Lusibula (Captain), Ibrahim Pengere, Tiff Kahandi, Isma Kaliaswa, Francis Odongo, Farhadi Aneku, Edmond Wabonka, Emma Mukisa, Nassur Nadala

Substitutes: Stephen Makumba (G.K), Edmond Otim, Lawrence Olabaro, Raymond Othieno, Usama Kayeba, Saadi Ismail, Zanuni Mugooya, Bosco Luyonlo, Bonifancesio Chideko, Ivan Jackuma

Uganda Cranes XI: Alionzi Nafian (G.K), Innocent Wafula, Herbert Achai, Najib Fesali, Denis Iguma (Captain), Patrick Mbowa, Shafik Kagimu, Rogers Mato, Sadat Anaku, Jude Semugabi, Julius Poloto

Substitutes: Simon Tamale (G.K), Jack Komakech (G.K), Geofrey Wasswa, Musa Ramadhan, Mandela Ashraf, Ibrahim Wamana, Ashraf Mugume, Joackim Ojera, George Kaddu, Mubarak Nsubuga, Brian Aheebwa, Davis Kasirye

Uganda made light work of neighbours Kenya in the first leg of the opening round of the 2022 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers.

Uganda U20 Women’s National Team was in the zone on Saturday evening at Nyayo National Stadium, waltzing to a 7-2 victory.

Juliet Nalukenge and Sumaya Komuntale netted a brace each while skipper Fauzia Najjemba, Shamira Nalugya, and Margaret Kunihira were also on target.

Shaylene Opiso netted a consolation brace for Kenya in the second half.

Uganda took the lead inside two minutes when a well-delivered cross from Najjemba was noded home by Nalukenge.

Speedster Kunihira doubled the lead on 16 minutes after a sole run off the right flank that left the Kenyan defence for dead before lobbing the ball past onrushing goalkeeper Ursuka Nasimiyu.

Najjemba got onto the score sheet with the third for Uganda, finishing from close range in the 21^st minute before Shamira Nalugya converted from the spot after Nalukenge was fouled in the forbidden area.

Nalukenge added the fifth and her second on the day moments later before left back Komuntale curled home from a free-kick as Uganda led 6-0 at the break.

The hosts improved in the second and forward Opiso got a double, with the first coming in the 61^st minute before goalkeeper Daphine Nyayenga gifted her the second 18 minutes later.

It was Komuntale who scored the final goal of the game, firing home from a rebound to cap Uganda’s impressive performance.

The two sides will face off in the return leg next month in Kampala with the game slated for 8^th October at St. Mary’s Kitende.

Uganda’s Starting XI: Daphine Nyayenga (GK), Samalie Nakacwa, Sumaya Komuntale, Bira Nadunga, Aisha Nantongo, Shakira Nyinagahirwa, Shamira Nalugya, Hadijah Nandago, Juliet Nalukenge, Fauzia Najjemba, Margret Kunihira

Substitutes: Joan Namusisi (GK), Grace Aluka, Harima Kanyago, Kevin Nakacwa, Eva Nagayi, Catherine Nagadya, Zaitun Namaganda, Zainah Nandede, Jowelia Nagadya

Uganda U20 Women’s National Team will be targeting a good start in the quest to qualify for the 2022 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup due next year in Costa Rica.

The first hurdle is against neighbours Kenya at the first round and the two sides face off on Saturday at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi for the first leg.

Uganda U20 head coach Ayub Khalifa Kiyingi knows how much getting a good result on the road means and believes his charges are in the perfect shape to do so.

“I believe we have had the best of preparations since we entered the camp. The players are in the perfect shape and ready for the task ahead of them,” Kiyingi said after the last training at Nyayo National Stadium on Friday.

“Our target is to secure the best result here and go back to Kampala with a positive result. I know we have the ability to do so,” he added.

Team captain Fauzia Najjemba also says they are in perfect condition to execute what the coaches have taught them in the last two weeks.

“As players, we are prepared and ready to face Kenya. Our target is to earn victory here and go back home with a win.”

The return leg in Kampala is slated for 8th October and the winner on aggregate will advance to the next round.

At the next stage, Kenya or Uganda will face either South Africa or Mozambique.

Uganda’s U19 Boys’ National Cricket team, the Baby Cricket Cranes, have been flagged off to Rwanda for the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup Qualifiers.

The Africa Region qualifiers are scheduled for 28th September to 7th October.

The team, under coach Ivan Thawithemwira, will be competing with hosts Rwanda, Namibia, Nigeria, and Tanzania in a 50-over round-robin format.

Uganda will be battling for a single slot to book a place at the 2022 U19 World Cup in the West Indies. The team will seek to return to a World Cup stage for the first time in 15 years. Uganda has made two appearances in 2004 (Dhaka, Bangladesh) and 2006 (Colombo, Sri Lanka).

Pascal Murungi will captain the team and will be assisted by Ismail Munir. The duo was part of the last qualifying campaign in Namibia two years ago and their experience could be resourceful for the team in Kigali.

Ronald Opio and Juma Miyagi are the other players on the team with 2019 experience while the rest of the players will be making their debut in a major ICC event.

Uganda’s Contingent

The Players: 1. Pascal Murungi (Captain), 2. Juma Miyagi, 3. Brian Asaba, 4. Cyrus Kakuru, 5. Ronald Omara, 6. Ronald Lutaaya, 7. Joseph Baguma, 8. Christopher Kidega, 9. Matthew Musinguzi, 10. Ismail Munir (Vice-Captain), 11. Ackram Nsubuga, 12. Pius Oloka, 13. Ronald Opio, 14. Isaac Sanyu Ategeka.

Officials: Ivan Thawithemwira (Head Coach), Robinson Turinawe (Assistant Coach), Habib Kulusum Anguyo (Physiotherapist), Sylvester Rokani (Team Manager).

Uganda’s Schedule

• Thursday, September 30: Uganda vs. Namibia – IPRC Kigali
• Sunday, October 3: Uganda vs. Rwanda – Gahanga Stadium
• Monday, October 4: Uganda vs. Nigeria – Gahanga Stadium
• Wednesday, October 6: Uganda vs. Tanzania – IPRC Kigali

Vipers Sports Club has confirmed the signing of Bright Anukani from Proline Football Club after playing out his season-long loan at KCCA Football Club.

Anukani joins the Venonms on a three-year contract, with the option to extend for a further year.

The 21-year-old attacking midfielder is delighted to join the Kitende-based side.

“I am delighted to have signed for this great club,” Anukani told the club media.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Proline FC and would like to thank everyone at the club, and the fans, for their fantastic support over the past seasons. However, when Vipers SC come knocking on your door, it is an incredible opportunity,” he added.

Anukani has already trained with the club and is excited by the plans of new head coach Roberto Oliveira.

“From my conversations with the head coach on day one in training, I am excited about the vision and plans he has for the team.

“It’s clear to see that Robertinho is building a team to win. I am now looking forward to more pre-season training, friendlies, and getting the 2021-22 season started.”

Quick Profile

• Full Name: Bright Anukani
• Date of Birth: 20th June, 2000
• Nationality: Ugandan
• Age: 21yrs
• Weight: 64kgs
• Height: 5ft
• Position: Attacking midfielder
• Club: Vipers SC

Former Vipers Sports Club midfielder Abraham Ndugwa is off to Serbia and set to join First League side FK Budućnost Dobanovci.

Ndugwa, released by Vipers last month after playing out his three-year contract at Kitende, says it’s a dream come true for him to play in Europe.

“It is a dream come true to play in Europe. This is the start of my journey in life. I will continue working hard,” Ndugwa said prior to his departure.

He is expected to sign a three-year deal with the club that competes in the second tier of the Serbia national league system.

The former Entebbe Football Club and Masavu Football Club attacking midfielder joined Vipers in 2018 and scored 10 goals in 41 appearances.

During his stay with the Venons, he won the Uganda Premier League and FUFA Pilsner Super 8. He notably scored against Al-Merrikh to send Vipers to the second round of the CAF Champions League in 2018.

Ndugwa had earlier been linked to moves to UPL sides SC Villa, Wakiso Giants, and Express.