Cricket Cranes squad to compete in the crucial ICC Cricket World Cup Challenge League B set to take place at Lugogo and Entebbe Oval from November 4-16 has been announced.

Riazat Ali Shah has been appointed captain of the team for the tournament. He steps into the leadership role after serving as vice-captain to Brian Masaba who led Uganda in the ICC Men’s World Cup in the West Indies and the USA but stepped down after the event.

“It is not going to be a challenging job for me. Everyone on this team knows their role and strives to execute it. The captaincy is an additional responsibility, but we are all working toward the same goal—achieving One Day International (ODI) status,” said Ali Sha, who has been a member of the national team for seven years.

Pascal Murungi, a former U-19 captain, returns to the side after a stellar stint in Zimbabwe. Shrideep Mangela and Raghav Dhawan, both of whom played in the series against Papua New Guinea, have been included in the squad and are set for their international debut for Uganda.

The Challenge League B tournament is a pathway to the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup which will be hosted in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.

The Cricket Cranes will have a final three-match warm-up series against Bahrain in Jinja before the tournament begins.

Full Squad

1. Raghav Dhawan
2. ⁠Juma Miyagi
3. ⁠Brian Masaba
4. ⁠Shrideep Mangela
5. ⁠Fred Achelam
6. ⁠Kenneth Waiswa
7. ⁠Alpesh Ramjani
8. ⁠Pascal Murungi
9. ⁠Henry Ssenyondo
10. ⁠Riazat Ali Shah
11. ⁠Frank Nsubuga
12. ⁠Cosmas Kyewuta
13. Robinson Obuya
14. ⁠Dinesh Nakrani

Reserves

1. Joseph Baguma
2. Cyrus Kakuru

Uganda’s Fixtures

• November 6: Uganda vs. Singapore – Lugogo
• November 9: Uganda vs. Tanzania – Lugogo
• November 10: Uganda vs. Hong Kong – Lugogo
• November 13: Uganda vs. Italy – Entebbe
• November 16: Uganda vs. Bahrain – Entebbe

The Uganda Rugby Union has announced the groups for the fourth coming Uganda Cup, the first competition of the 2024/26 Rugby Season.

The tournament is set to start on November 23 and run until early next year on January 18.

Lower-division upcountry teams will host top-league sides during the group phase of the competition.

MEN’S GROUPS

Pool A

1. Heathens
2. Rhinos
3. Kyambogo
4. Walukuba
5. Tooro Lions

Pool B

1. Rams
2. Pirates
3. Eagles
4. Elgon Wolves
5. Kitgum Lions

Pool C

1. Mongers
2. Impis
3. Victoria Sharks
4. Hippos
5. Gulu City Falcons

Pool D

1. KOBs
2. Warriors
3. Buffaloes
4. Njeru Hurricanes
5. Kigezi Silverbacks

WOMEN

Pool A

1. Nile Rapids
2. Walukuba Titans
3. Thunderbirds
4. Panthers
5. Kigezi Queens

Pool B

1. Avengers
2. She Wolves
3. Black Pearls
4. Ewes
5. Kitgum Queens

Nicholas Kebba emerged as the overall winner of the October MTN Monthly Tee at Entebbe Golf Club on Saturday.

Playing off handicap 15, Kebba returned to the clubhouse with a nett score of 68, edging Robert Ejiku in the one-day tournament on countback.

Playing off handicap 9, Richard Oloka won the Men’s Group with 69 nett and Joseph Galiwango took the runners-up spot with 72.

Ejiku topped Group Bwith James O’Sullivan taking second place with 70 nett.

Raymond Ekwamu returned 69 nett to win the Men’s Group C while Mathiass Kalule’s 70 nett was good enough for second place. Ekwamu’s 69 takes him to the top of the Order Of Merit with his best 8 rounds totaling 576.

Esther Aganyira scored 71 nett to win the ladies category while Rital Apel took second place.

The next MTTN Monthly Tee will take place on November 23 with the Grand Tee of Tees scheduled for December 14.

Ugandan long-distance runner Joshua Cheptegei won the Delhi Half Marathon 2024 men’s elite title.

Cheptegei who retired from the track after claiming the 10000m Olympic title clocked 59:46 to finish ahead of Kenyan duo Alex Matata (59:53) and Nicholas Kipkorir (59:59).

It’s the first half-marathon win for Cheptegei and he termed it as special.

“This win in Delhi was special to me because it is my first-ever victory in a half marathon,” said Cheptegei. “India has been important for my career and this country now means a lot to me. I felt good throughout the race despite the slow start,” he added.

Matata led for most of the race alongside compatriot Kipkorir with Cheptegei running just behind the two. The Ugandan, however, made a decisive move in the final stretch to secure the win.

“My first aim was to catch up with Nicholas [Kipkorir] and then Alex [Matata] in the final few kilometres of the race. I am delighted with my performance and hope to continue in the same manner in the future races,” Cheptegei said.

With victory, Cheptegei takes home a cash prize of $27,000.

Crested Cranes are set to face the Democratic Republic of Congo in two friendly matches later this month.

The matches scheduled for 27th and 30th Octoober in the caapital Kinshasa are part oof the preparations for the Crested Cranes ahead of the CECAFA Women’s Championship to be played in Noovember.

Head coach Sheryl Botes named a 38-player provisional squad for the international engagements having seen no action for nearly ten months.

“We last had an engagement in December last year and I believe we needed competitive games to see the level of players,” Botes said during the squaad announcement.

The selected players will satrt training on Saturday, 19th October with foreign-based players are expected to join the group by Monday, 21sst October.

“Unfortunately, we couldn’t compete at the COSAFA Championships due to reasons beyond us but thankfully, DR Congo allowed to have two friendly games with us,” added the South African coach.

The squad summoned includes five goalkeepers, ten defenders, thirteen midfielders and nine fowards.

Full Squad

Goalkeepers: Ruth Aturo (Vihiga Queens FC), Daphine Nyayenga (Fortuna Hjorring), Daisy Nakaziro (Kampala Queens FC), Molly Naava Nabitaka (She Corporate FC), Sharon Kaidu (Uganda Martyrs Lubaga WFC), Hadijah Nalongo (She Corporate FC)

Defenders: Shadia Nankya (Tutankhamun FC), Bridget Nabisaalu (Modern Sports FC), Phiona Nabulime (Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC), Jamirah Nabulime (Kampala Queens FC), Maureen Kimono (Kampala Queens FC), Cissy Nakate (She Corporate FC), Shakirah Nankwanga (Kampala Queens FC), Jolly Kobusinge (Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC), Docus Lwalisa (Olila High School WFC), Angel Awuki Kigongo (Uganda Martyrs Lubaga WFC)

Midfielders: Joan Nabirye (FC Spartak Moscow), Phiona Nabbumba (Boldklubben Af 1893), Teddy Najjuma (Kampala Queens FC), Zabina Namboozo (Amus College WFC), Yuster Kayesu (Rines SS WFC), Shamirah Nalugya (Kampala Queens FC), Brenda Munyana (Uganda Martyrs Lubaga WFC), Sandra Nantumbwe (Athletic Club Bihor), Doreen Nakayiwa (She Maroons FC), Violah Nambi (Napoli FC), Peace Muduwa (Kampala Queens FC), Hadijah Nandago (Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC)

Forwards: Fazilah Ikwaput (Gokulam Kerala FC), Sandra Nabweteme (Santos Laguna Femenil), Joanita Ainembabazi (New Heroes Queens FC), Resty Nanziri (Boldklubben Af 1893), Sylvia Kabene (St. Noa WFC), Agnes Nabukenya (Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC), Immaculate Kizza (She Maroons FC), Mastulah Atuhaire (FC Tooro Queens), Jesca Namanda (She Corporate FC)

• Event: MTN Monthly Tee
• Date: Saturday, 19th October 2024
• Tee-off Times: 7:00am – 2:00pm
• Venue: Entebbe Golf Club

With only three rounds left, golfers will be eager to climb the Order of Merit as the MTN Monthly Tee takes centre stage at Entebbe Golf Club on Saturday.

As per the draw, over 130 golfers are expected to take the course with the sole objective of ascending in the order of merit.

The first group will tee off as early as 7:00am.

Lloyd Busulwa, who sits at the top of the OOM, will tee off at 9:40 alongside Collins Nuwagira, Francis Mukonyezi and fourth-placed Picole Lukyamuzi.

Second-placed Raymond Ekwamu will tee off at midday alongside Michael Odur, Darwin Angudri and Rital Apell.

Uganda Cranes head coach Paul Put has made three changes in the team to face South Sudan in the return leg.

Center forward Derrick Nsibambi, combative midfielder Taddeo Lwanga and attacker Allan Okello have been given starting nods at Juba National Stadium.

Isma Watenga maintains his place between the goalposts as does the back four of Kenneth Ssemakula, Aziz Kayondo, Bevis Mugabi and Halid Lwaliwa.

Team captain Khalid Aucho is joined by a new partner in defensive midfield with Lwanga starting ahead of Ssekiganda.

Okello, the creator of the goal at Namboole on Friday, starts ahead of Travis Mutyaba.

Nsibambi will lead the search for goals in the number nine role with Denis Omedi and Rogers Mato drifting in off the wings.

Uganda Cranes head coach Paul Put has named the team that will take on South Sudan in the Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers at Namboole.

Halid Lwaliwa is back in the starting XI after sitting out the game against Congo last month.

Jude Ssemugabi who came off the bench to score against Congo has been rewarded with a starting place.

Isama Watenga starts in goal and will be shielded by the back line of Aziz Kayondo at left back, Kenneth Ssemakula at right back with Bavis Mugabi and Lwaliwa pairing up in the center of defense.

Skipper Khalid Aucho and Ronald Ssekiganda will marshal the midfield with Travis Mutyaba in the creative role.

Kitara Football Club duo of Denis Omedi and Ssemugabi are joined by Rogers Mato to complete the front three who will search for goals.

Uganda’s National U-20 Team, christened Hippos, has made it two wins in two games at the TotalEnergies U-20 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers.

In the Cecafa U20 Championship Group B contest played at the Azam Complex in Dar es Salaam, the Hippos beat Burundi 4-1 thanks to John Paul Dembe’s first-half brace and two own goals from Samir Kaskile and Ramazani Hakizimana.

Uganda got a dream start as Salemani headed the ball into his own net inside three minutes off Steven Namaisi’s long throw-in.

Fifteen minutes later, the Hippos were celebrating again after Dembe’s volley. The forward controlled a long ball from center-back Louis Anguti and fired home Uganda’s second of the game.

Dember got his second and Uganda’s third in the 23rd minute through a header thanks to Allan Oyirowth’s pin-point delivery.

After the break, Burundi started strong but it was the Hippos who got the fourth after Hakizimana, under pressure from Oyirwoth, turned Swabiri Mpasa’s cross from the left past his goalkeeper.

Christopher Ndeyikengurukiye pulled a goal back for Burundi from close range in the 62nd minute.

Uganda Hippos Line-Up

Uganda Cranes forward Rogers Mato has sounded a warning ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers ties against South Sudan.

In an interaction with the media after Tuesday’s training session, Mato said the team is mentally and physically prepared for the match to be played on Friday night at Mandela National Stadium in Namboole.

“The boys are in shape and willing to give 100 per cent. We are very well prepared mentally and physically and we are ready to give in 100 per cent in these upcoming games,” Mato said.

South Sudan’s squad is comprised of players who play or have played in the Uganda Premier League and these include Francis Onekalit, Rashid Toha, Geriga Atendele, Rashid Okocha, Emmanuel Loki, Gadafi Wahab, Tito Okello, Francis Onekalit and Alfred Leku.

“They are [our] friends, they are brothers, they play in this [Uganda Premier] League. We respect them but the friendship will end outside the pitch but on the pitch, it is all about business.

“We want to go to the Africa Cup of Nations so, there will be no friendship and brotherhood on the pitch,” Mato added.

A scorer in the qualifiers’ opening match against South Africa, Mato says he is hungry for more goals as he wants his country to be proud of him.

“I still want to score for my nation, I want my family to be proud of me I want to give 100 per cent every time I’m on the national team.”

The return leg will be played at Juba Stadium on Tuesday, October 15.