Match Summary: Afghanistan vs Uganda

• Afghanistan 183/5
• Uganda 58 all out
• Afghanistan won by 125 runs

Uganda’s Cricket Cranes made a losing start at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, falling to Afghanistan by 125 runs.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran gave Afghanistan a strong start with the bat putting together an opening stand of 154 while Fazalhaq Farooqi was devasting with ball in hand.

Uganda’s captain Brian Masaba won the toss and elected to field. However, Gurbaz (76) and Zadran (70) took the game to Ugandan bowlers and laid a foundation for Afghanistan to finish on 183/5.

Despite the pair being dismissed in quick succession by Alpesh Ramjan (1/33) and Masaba (2/21), a huge chunk of the batting load had been taken.

Cosmas Kyebuta (2/25) was the other standout bowler for Uganda.

In the run chase, Ronak Patel (4) and Roger Mukasa (0) fell on back-to-back deliveries from Fazalhaq Farooqi before Mujeeb Ur Rahman got Simon Ssesazi (4).

Naveen-ul-Haq, the third bowler to be introduced in the attack, picked the wickets of Alpesh Ramjani and Dinesh Nakrani in his first over leaving Cricket Cranes reeling at 18/5.

Riazat Ali 11(34) and Robinson Obuya 14(25) tried to stay in but Farooqi who finished with an impressive 5/9 returned to deliver further blows before skipper Rashid Khan cleaned up Uganda’s tail.

The Cricket Cranes will be back in action on Thursday at 2:30 am (EAT) against Papua New Guinea.

Uganda Cranes will be marking a return to their real home Mandela National Stadium – Namboole after five years when they host Botswana and Algeria in the 2026 Fifa World Cup Qualifiers.

First, it will be Botswana on Friday, June 7 followed by Algeria on Monday, June 10 with both matches scheduled to kick off at 7:00 pm.

Uganda Cranes head coach Paul Put announced the training squad for the two matches and the team has been in camp since last week.

The last Fifa World Cup Qualifying campaign that Uganda Cranes hosted matches at Namboole was the qualifiers for the 2018 Fifa World Cup, which was played over three rounds.

In this article, we revisit that qualifying campaign during which the Cranes won all but one game played at Namboole.

Uganda joined the qualifiers in the second round when they were drawn against Togo. The West Africans hosted the first leg on 12th November 2015 at Stade de Kégué in Lomé, a match Uganda Cranes won 1-0 thanks to Farouk Miya’s first-half goal.

In the return leg hosted at Namboole on 15th November 2015, the Cranes won 3-0. Geoffrey Massa netted an early opener before Farouk Miya added a first-half brace for Uganda to advance to the third and final qualifying round.

The final qualifying round saw teams drawn into five groups of four whose winner would directly qualify for the global showpiece that was hosted by Russia.

Uganda was drawn into Group E alongside Congo Brazzaville, Egypt and Ghana.

Uganda’s first group game was away to Ghana at Tamale Stadium on 7th October 2016 and they held the West Africans to a goalless draw.

On 12th November 2016, the Cranes hosted Congo at Namboole and Farouk Miya was on target for the only goal of the match.

On 31st August 2017, Uganda hosted Egypt. Like the match against Congo, the Cranes won the match 1-0 but it was Emmanuel Okwi who scored the goal early in the second half. When the Cranes played visitors to Egypt in Alexandria on 5th September 2017, Uganda lost the match 1-0.

The return leg against Ghana at Namboole ended in a goalless draw and before completing the campaign with a 1-1 draw away to Congo in a match Milton Karisa netted the equalizer.

Trivia

1. Name any player on the current Uganda Cranes squad who were part of the 2018 World Cup Qualifying campaign.
2. Who scored Uganda Cranes’ goal the last time they played a World Cup Qualifier at Namboole?

Match Summary: Uganda W v Malawi W

• Uganda 118/8
• Malawi 32 all out
• Uganda won by 86 runs

The Victoria Pearls beat unranked Malawi on Matchday 4 of the 10th Edition of the Kwibuka Tournament, winning the encounter by 86 runs.

Uganda won the toss and elected to bat first. Malawi was very disciplined with their bowling and some poor shot selection by Uganda’s batters led to an early collapse leaving Victoria Parls at 41/6.

However, a 42-run partnership between Malisa Ariokot (17) and Rita Musamali (55 not out) dug Uganda out of the hole in the last 10 overs to help them finish on 118/8.

In the run chase, Malawi was not a match for the Ugandan bowlers. Youngsters Patricia Timong (4/4) and Lorna Anyait (2/4) were outstanding with the ball as Malawi was cleaned up for 32.

Uganda got their fourth win of the tournament to remain unbeaten in the eight-nation tournament.

The win keeps Uganda in second place just behind hosts Rwanda as they are just separated by net run rate.

Uganda will take on rivals Kenya tomorrow.

• T20 World Cup Fixture
• Tuesday, June 4
• Afghanistan vs Uganda – 3:30 am, EAT

Uganda’s Cricket Cranes swing into action at the T20 World Cup tonight as they take on Afghanistan at the picturesque Providence Stadium in Guyana.

Cricket Cranes are eager to make their mark on the global stage but the opener against a team known for its explosive talent and mystery spinners will be an eye of what to expect at the grand stage for the Ugandans.

Rashid Khan, widely regarded as one of the best T20 bowlers, will lead Afghanistan’s spin bowling attack alongside Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Mohammad Nabi, whose experience could trouble Uganda’s batting line-up.

Playing on slow pitches that offer assistance to spinners, Providence Stadium is a potentially tricky venue for batsmen thus the likes of Simon Ssesazi, Roger Mukasa, and Robinson Obuya and all rounders Riazat Ali Sha and Dineshi Nakrani have to be at their mercurial best.

Uganda’s bowling attack is strengthened by young pacers Cosmas Kyewuta and Juma Miyaji, who are capable of bowling good speeds but spinner Alpesh Ramjani, who took the most T20 international wickets in 2023, and Henry Ssenyondo should be key with ball in hand for the Cricket Cranes against the likes of Hazratullah Zazai and Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who are powerful hitters of the ball as well as Captain
Mohammad Nabi.

Uganda’s Probable XI: 1 Roger Mukasa, 2 Simon Ssesazi, 3 Robinson Obuya, 4 Riazat Ali Shah, 5 Dinesh Nakrani, 6 Alpesh Ramjani, 7 Kenneth Waiswa, 8 Fred Achelam (Wicketkeeper), 9 Bilal Hassun, 10 Brian Masaba (Captain), 11 Henry Ssenyondo

Police Football Club have been crowned 2023-24 Fufa Big League Champions.

Police were crowned after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Kataka at the Mbale City Stadium on Sunday, June 2.

Isaac Ogwang was on target for the all-important goal, a left-footed finish inside the area.

With the victory, Police took their points tally to 56 points from 27 matches, a feat that left head coach Simon Peter Mugerwa impressed.

“This is a special day for Police Football Club to be crowned as champions of the Big League. I am happy for the entire team; players, fellow coaches, management and the fans,” Mugerwa said.

Elsewhere, Lugazi Football Club beat Jinja North United 2-0 at Kyabazinga Stadium in Bugembe courtesy of goals from Samuel Ssemugugu. It should be noted that Lugazi gained promotion to the Uganda Premier League.

Meanwhile, Mbale Heroes, the other side to be promoted to the topflight were beaten by Kiyinda Boys on the ultimate day of the Big League season.

Awards

• Most Valuable Player (MVP): Denis Kalanzi (Police Football Club)
• Best Goalkeeper (Golden Gloves): Fahad Emuran (Lugazi Football Club)
• Top Scorers (Golden Boot): Isaac Ogwang (Police Football Club) & Dickson Nuwamanya (Booma Football Club) – Both 14 goals
• Fair-Play Award: Young Elephants Football Club

Sunday Results

• Miracle Ravens 60-66 KIU Rangers
• A1 Challenge 44-74 JKL Lady Dolphins
• UCU Lady Canons 64-39 Nabisunsa
• Kampala Rockets 59-56 JT Jaguars
• UCU Canons 64-58 Our Savior

Kampala Rockets registered a narrow 59-56 win over JT Jaguars in the National Basketball League on Sunday at YMCA in Wandegeya.

It was a low-scoring thriller that went to the wire despite the Jaguars falling back early in the game.

The Rockets had a 17-9 first quarter and Jaguars took the second quarter 13-11 to reduce the deficit before starting off the third period strongly to take the lead.

Jaguars had a good third quarter and took a 2-point (42-41) lead through a team effort to set up the game for an entertaining fourth quarter.

A 6-0 run to start the fourth period from Rockets saw them assume a slim 4-point lead but JT Jaguars fight was a lone fight by George Agasi and they eventually fell short.

The Rockets were led by Ruak Ruai who notched the first triple-double of the season in the division. He scored 15 points, picked 11 rebounds and dished out as many assists. Puati Kikomba also scored 15 points and pulled down 15 rebounds while Simon Ola netted a game-high 19 points.

Agasi finished with 14 points and matched game-high 15 rebounds in a losing effort, Ian Lubwama scored 15 points while Aaron Ebonyu notched a team-high 16 points to the Jaguars.

A fully packed Karugutu playground was treated to a thriller as Mwenge North battled Ntoroko in the MTN Tooro Amasaza Cup on Sunday afternoon.

Ntoroko County prevailed with a 3-1 win in their opening match of the 2024 tournament.

Frank Madilo, Godfrey Muhara and Ason Kaswara were on target for the victors while Dean Katwesige netted the consolation for Mwenge North who were also playing their first game of this year’s tournament.

Frank Madilo got Ntoroko’s first goal in the 31st minute of the game.

In the second half of the game, Ntoroko kept pushing and in the 51st minute, Muhara doubled the lead with a bullet header off a corner kick.

With 19 minutes from full time, Katwesige pulled a goal back for Mwenge North but Kaswara later scored the third goal for Ntoroko to put the game to bed.

Charles Mwenye, the head coach of Mwenge North, admitted Ntoroko played a good game.

“They played well throughout all the two halves and they created lots of chances and they deserved the win. We are waiting for another game at home and we shall correct a few of our mistakes,” said Mwenye.

Raphael Matte, the LC III Chairman of Karugutu Town Council, thanked MTN Uganda for supporting Tooro Kingdom activities including sponsoring the tournament.

“We continue to witness exceptional talent, and I want to thank our partners, MTN Uganda, for making this possible. Such activities require significant support, and over the years, MTN has walked this journey with us by backing several initiatives spearheaded by the Kingdom, enabling us to sustain activities like the Masaza Cup tournament year after year,” Matte said.

Next Match

On Sunday, June 9, Bunyangabu County will take on Kibale County at Kibiito SS Playground.

Heathens RFC are the winners of the 2024 National Rugby Championship.

The Kyadondo-based side beat Black Pirates 15-13 in the final played at Kyadondo Rugby Club on Saturday, June 1.

However, it was the Pirates that got on the scoreboard first after. Flyhalf Ivan Magomu converted a penalty early in the game.

Heathens’ forwards then took charge with Emmanuel Byamugisha and Joaquim Chisano scoring their two tries in the first half. Malcolm Okello slotted a conversion for the hosts to hosts to lead 12-03 at halftime.

Okello would extend the lead to 12 points (15-03) with a second-half penalty.

Led by the inspirational Magomu who broke Heathens’ line of defense three times almost in a similar fashion, the Sea Robbers scored two tries through their wingers Roy Kizito and Jeremiah Okello in the second half. However, both tries were not converted and in the end, the Pirates fell short.

The title brings Heathens’ tally to seventeen since the men’s top-flight rugby tournament was introduced in 1990.

Match Summary: Uganda W vs. Zimbabwe W

• Uganda 165/2
• Zimbabwe 90 all out
• Uganda won by 75 runs

Victoria Pearls had a bright batting display that saw them post a very competitive total of 165 against Zimbabwe on Saturday.

Immaculate Nakisuyi knocked a well-crafted 52 off 42 balls while her partner Proscovia Alako expressed herself as she blasted 62 off 41 balls that helped Uganda post the total, losing two wickets along the way.

In the run chase, Sarah Walaza picked the big wicket of Kelis Ndlovu on the first ball and Zimbabwe were on the ropes right away.

Uganda made sure of the result with more quick wickets and at 29/5, the writing was on the wall as the Ugandans managed the rest of the game well to close it out by the 16th over.

Patricia Timong (2/23) and Immaculate Nandera (2/35) impressed on their debut as former skipper Consy Aweko (1/4), as always, bowled a mean quarter.

The Victoria Pearls thus remained unbeaten with a perfect record of three out of three but are second on the table. They have the same number of points as Rwanda but the hosts have a better net run rate.

The team takes a break on Sunday and returns to action on Monday.

Match Summary: Uganda W v Nigeria W

• Uganda 97 all out
• Nigeria 85/9
• Uganda won by 12 runs

Victoria Pearls edged Nigeria in their meeting at Kwibuka Cricket Tournament on Friday.

Nigeria who like chasing down totals won the toss and elected to bowl first. Lilian Ude 4/15 was Uhganda’s tormentor-in-chief with ball-in-hand but Janet Mbabazi (19) and Immaculate Nakisuyi (33) combined for an opening stand of 28.

However, Victoria Pearls failed to find second gear to help push the envelope. Kevin Awino (14) and Consy Aweko (7) played a tail-wagging cameo that pushed the total to 97 all out in 20 overs.

In the run chase, Sarah Walaza bowled a mean spell conceding just five runs in her quota of four overs which piled pressure on the Nigerians.

The Victoria Pearls cleaned up the top cheaply until a middle-order resistance kept the game evenly balanced till the end.

The big names of Consy Aweko 2/21, Immaculate Nakisuyi 2/19 and Janet Mbabazi 1/11 put a stop to the flow runs with the Nigerians running out of resources with 12 runs still required for the win.

Uganda picked up their second win of the tournament to keep up with the leading pack of Zimbabwe and Rwanda who have also won two out two so far.

The Ugandan will be back in action later today against Zimbabwe.