Uganda U20 Women’s team has started preparations for the fourth round of the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup Qualifiers.

A provisional squad of 28 players was summoned for preparations and the team is currently in residential camp at Cranes Paradise Hotel, Kisaasi.

The team underwent paces on Thursday at the MTN Omond Stadium in Lugogo ahead of the first leg tie against Ghana in two weeks’ time.

Head coach Ayub Kiyingi says the team is in good shape and there’s enough time to prepare for the clash.

“Today, we have started our preparations for the matches against Ghana. The girls came back in good shape. I believe the time we have between now and the first game will be enough for us to prepare and get the results we want,” said Kiyingi.

Uganda will host the West Africans on Saturday, 22nd January 2022 at St. Mary’s Stadium, Kitende in the first leg with the return leg to come a fortnight later.

The winner on aggregate between Uganda and Ghana will face either Ethiopia or Tanzania at the final qualifying round to the global tournament that will be hosted by Costa Rica later this year.

Provisional Squad

Goalkeepers: Daphine Nyayenga (Lady Doves FC), Joan Namusisi (Kampala Queens FC), Diana Natukunda (Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC), Saida Namwanje (Luweero Giant Queens FC.

Defenders: Sumayah Komuntale (Tooro Queens FC), , Grace Aluka (Olila High School FC), Winnie Nakanwagi (Uganda Martyrs High School FC), Biira Nadunga (Olila High School FC), Samalie Nakacwa (Kawempe Muslim FC), Harima Kanyago (Lady Doves FC), Aisha Nantongo (Kawempe Muslim Ladies), Asia Nakibuuka (Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC).

Midfielders: Shamirah Nalugya (Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC), Shakirah Nyinagahirwa (Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC), Phiona Nabulime (Devine Soccer Academy), Catherine Nagadya (Uganda Martyrs High School), Margaret Kunihira (Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC), Kevin Nakacwa (Uganda Martyrs High School FC), Zaituni Namaganda (Taggy High School FC), Eva Naggayi (Rines SS WFC).

Forwards: Fauzia Najjemba (Kampala Queens), Hadijah Nandago (Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC), Juliet Nalukenge (Chrysomolia FC), Joweria Nagadya (Lady Doves FC), Kamuyati Naigaga (Taggy High School), Ronah Regina Nantege (She Corporate FC), Zaina Nandede (Kataka SHE FC), Lilian Mutuuzo (Kampala Queens FC)

Officials

• Head Coach – Ayub Khalifa Kiyingi
• Assistant Coach – Oliver Mbekeka
• Goalkeeping Coach – Mubarak Kiberu
• Fitness Trainer – Arthur Kyesimira
• Team coordinator – Joan Namusisi
• Team Doctor – Mable Kabatalindwa
• Kit and Equipment Manager – Cissy Nakiguba
• Media Officer – Alex Kasirye

Former Rugby Cranes loose forward Marvin Odongo has been handed the head coach role for 2018 league champions Black Pirates.

Odong has been handed the head coach job to replace at the Bweyogerere based side Stanbic Pirates.

The title-winning captain replaces Robert Musinguzi who was elevated to the role of Director of Rugby at the club.

Odong’s first game in charge will be on Saturday, 8th January when the Sea Robbers host Jinja Hippos at Kings Park in Bweyogerere.

Pirates have beefed up their roster with prop Peter Bisaso from Hippos while Isaac Rujumba and Michael Amolo have gone the opposite direction.

Last year, Pirates finished 3rd in the league behind Kobs (champions) and Heathens during the shortened 15s season.

THREAD!

Introducing The Management Team of Stanbic Black Pirates RFC. #PiratesStrong pic.twitter.com/zzSddE0qYb

— PIRATES RUGBY (@piratesrugbyUG) January 6, 2022

Matchday One Fixtures

• Rams vs. Mongers – Makerere Rugby Grounds, 1:00pm
• Black Pirates vs. Jinja Hippos – King’s Park Stadium, 1:00pm
• Kobs vs. Impis – Legends Rugby Club, 1:00pm
• Heathens vs. Buffaloes – Kyadondo Rugby Club, 3:00pm
• Warriors vs. Rhinos – Legends Rugby Club, 3:00pm

KCCA Football Club edged Mbarara City one-nil on Wednesday thanks to Herbert Achai’s early goal at the MTN Omondi Stadium.

Achai scored with the first shot on goal in the opening minute of the game but Mbarara City goal Martin Elungat should have done better.

The hosts piled more pressure onto the visitors Elungat stood tall to make a couple of saves to deny Sadat Anaku.

Mbarara City’s first real threat at goal was a superb freekick from Solomon Okwalinga that was well dealt with by Derrick Ochan.

In the second half, Ankole Lions skipper Hilary Mukundane cleared off the line while at the other end, John Revita blocked Thomas Kakaire’s effort.

KCCA returns to the top of the log with 31 points from 13 games, two clear of Vipers who drop to the second with 29 points from 13games.

Mbarara City maintains its place on the log despite the loss. They are in 12th position with 14 points from as many games.

Starting XIs

KCCA FC: Derrick Ochan (GK), Andrew Kigozi, Denis Iguma, John Revita, Herbert Achai, Ashraf Mugume, Hassan Jurua, Mato Rodgers, Brian Majwega, Sadat Anaku, Brian Aheebwa

Mbarara City: Martin Elungat (GK), Steven Othieno, Soulayman Bamba, Jasper Aheebwa, Hillary Mukundane, Solomon Okwalinga, Jude Ssemugabi, Thomas Kakaire, Ronald Otti, Ronald Edwok, Ivan Otude

Busoga United beat Onduparaka 2-0 in a Premier League game played on Wednesday at the Fufa Technical Center in Njeru.

A goal each half from Shaka Ssozi and youngster Edline Opaala Mukisa ensured that the Jinja-based side started this new year with a victory.

Busoga United had gone eight games without a victory and the maximum points against the West Nile-based side put them back on track in the fight for survival.

Ssozi headed the hosts into the lead off a well-delivered corner from Edrine Opaala.

At the other end, Dudu Ramathan saw his header cleared off the line while Muhammad Shaban missed from close range after being played through by Ivan Okello.

There were limited chances in the second half but youngster Opaala scored in the 80th minute to seal his side’s victory. Busoga United played the last nine minutes of the game after Sande Mulanda was shown a red card.

Busoga United remains second from the bottom with 10 points from 13 games.

On the other hand, Onduparaka is in 13th position with 10 points collected from 13 games

Next Up

In their final game of the first round, Onduparaka will host Tooro United on Saturday, 8th January while Busoga United will be away to Mbarara City the following day.

Starting XIs

Busoga United: Delton Oyo (GK), Kintu Hassan, Kalyowa George, Fredrick Ngalo, Basoga Derrick, Sande Mulanda, Paul Ssekulima, Anthony Mayanja (Captain), Mustafa Anwaru Ntege, Edrine Opaala Mukisa, Shaka Ssozi

Onduparaka: Mathias Muwanga (GK), Okello Isaac, Dudu Ramathan, Amayo Ahmed, Adriko Alex, Ivan Okello, Emmanuel Oketch, Yakin Rashid, Shaban Muhammad, Matata Gabriel, Baden Mujahid

The Baby Cricket Cranes could face South Africa and India at the U19 World Cup without fans after the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) of the event met a week ago.

The pair of games will be played on dual-island Caribbean nation of Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) which is currently locked down to spectators at sports events.

According to the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) Douglas Camacho, fans may not be allowed next month due to COVID 19 restrictions for the T&T leg of matches.

However, there could be an opening if the country’s Prime Minister, (Dr Keith Rowley) opens up before the tournament starts on 14th January.

“At this stage, no spectators will be allowed,” Camacho told Guardian Media Sports.

“If between now and when the tournament happens, we open up and we’re hoping the next time an official update is given to the country by the Prime Minister, (Dr Keith Rowley) maybe we will hear that team sport is allowed to participate in a controlled environment where we make the venues – selected venues of course – safe zones where they will be allowed in and if that is the case and if spectators are allowed as a proportion of the crowd with the necessary social distancing then we would have. Otherwise, at this stage, the reality is there will be no spectators.”

Cricket West Indies (CWI) had announced that there will be free entry to watch all the Under-19 World Cup matches across the region but T&T could be an exception.

Multiple venues across T&T will be used for 22 matches (10 group and 12 Plate matches), and training that is to say; the Queen’s Park Oval, Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Diego Martin Sporting Complex, National Cricket Centre and the Sir Frank Worrell Ground at the University of the West Indies, St Augustine.

16 teams will play 64 matches in the tournament with Antigua and Barbuda, Guyana and St Kitts and Nevis also hosting matches.

The 14th edition of the tournament to be staged in the West Indies will run from January 14 to February 5. 16 warm-up matches will take place between 9 and 12 January in St Kitts and Nevis and Guyana.

ICC Men’s U19 Cricket World Cup Groups:

Group A – Bangladesh, England, Canada, United Arab Emirates

Group B – India, Ireland, South Africa, Uganda

Group C – Afghanistan, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Zimbabwe

Group D – Australia, Scotland, Sri Lanka, West Indies

Baby Cricket Cranes Schedule pending progression to the Plate League or Super League;

15 January 2022 | 17:00 (EAT) Ireland vs Uganda | Venue: Everest Cricket Club, Guyana

18 January 2022 | 17:00 (EAT) South Africa vs Uganda | Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad and Tobago

22 January 2022 | 17:00 (EAT) India vs Uganda | Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Trinidad and Tobago

Eric Kambale scored twice as Express Football Club registered their sixth victory of the season on Tuesday at Wankulukuku.

George Ssenkaba handed the Red Eagles the lead after pouncing onto a loose ball to fire past the hapless Michael Nantamu in the Busoga goal.

Late in the contest, Mahad Yaya Kakooza made a lung-bursting run from the halfway line, made his way into the area, and slotted in the fourth.

It was a comfortable outing for the Red Eagles who have struggled to score goals all season.

Against a poor Busoga side, the Red Eagles looked comfortable throughout and will only be disappointed that the scoreline was not more appealing. The front four of Kambale, Ssenkaba, Martin Kizza, and Godfrey Lwesibawa were too hot to handle for a Busoga defence that was always suspect.

Busoga were on the back foot for most of the game and barely tried to score. Laban Tibiita and Edrine Opaala both tested Joel Mutakubwa in the Express goal but their efforts were comfortable for the custodian.

Victory takes Express into 4th spot with 23 points from 13 games. Busoga stays second from the bottom with seven points.

Next Up

Express will be away to Tooro United on Tuesday, 4th January while Busoga host Onduparaka the following day.

Starting XIs

Express FC: Joel Mutakubwa (GK), Deus Bukenya, Enock Walusimbi, Sadiq Ssekyembe, Murushid Juuko, Mahad Yaya Kakooza, Nicholas Kasozi, Godfrey Lwesibawa, Eric Kambale, Martin Kiiza, George Ssenkaba.

Busoga United: Michael Nantamu (GK), Peter Onzima, George Kalyowa, Frederick Ngalo, Douglas Bithum, Elvis Ngonde, Anthony Mayanja, Edrine Opaala, Anwar Ntege, Laban Tibiita, Ronald Kasamba.

Ugandan coaches Abdallah Mubiru and Wasswa Bossa have pledged to change the way they handle crises and their communication models after going through FUFA’s orientation course.

The duo were recruited the exercise about on communication, branding, crisis management in coaching, relations between coaches and media after their utterances that the FUFA Disciplinary Panel found to be putting the game in disrepute.

Bbosa was convicted in the aftermath of a 2-0 defeat to Arua Hill on match day one while Mubiru’s comments in the 1-0 defeat to Onduparaka in Arua saw him get punished as well.

Speaking after a session organised by Fufa Communications Director Ahmed Hussein praised their resolve to change for the better.

“We are thankful to Fufa especially in the communications department for this wonderful session,” said Mubiru.

“Sometimes, we have reacted in a manner which is unwarranted and following this session, there will surely be change after the lessons learnt,” he added.

Bbosa also said; “It has been a great session and moving forward, I will change. I have learnt that as a coach, I have so many people with influence with my acts be it fans, players and even family.”

URA Football Club registered their sixth draw of the season after coming from down to pick a point off Wakiso Giants at the Arena of Visions, Ndejje on Tuesday.

Cromwell Rwothomio scored in the 65th minute to cancel out Simon Namwanja’s goal that had put the visitors in the lead before the break.

The opening minutes were a close contest but it was the visitors started opening up and were rewarded with Namwnaja’s goal.

At the stroke of half time, Namwanja benefited from Titus Ssematimba good work on the left flunk, strolled past URA defenders before sending a powerful left shot past a helpless Nafian Alionzi.

The visitors had another chance to score again but Tom Masiko’s effort from outside the area rattled the crossbar.

For the hosts, first half chances fell to Steven Mukwala whose effort well collected by Derrick Emukule while Rwothomio had header kiss the crossbar.

URA returned from the changing rooms energized and five minutes past the hour mark, Rwothomio headed in home off a well delivered corner from skipper Shafik Kagimu

The result saw URA move to the seventh position with 18 points from eleven games. Wakiso Giants remain in the sixth position with 21 points collected from 13 games.

Next Up

URA will be away to Gaddafi FC on Tuesday, 4th January 2022 while Wakiso Giants will host Bul FC on the same day.

Starting XIs

URA FC XI: Nafian Alionzi GK, Mandela Ashraf, Galiwango Arafat, Najib Fesali, Benjamin Nyakoojo, Ivan Sserubiri, Viane Ssekajugo, Shafik Kagimu, Cromwell Rwothomio, Moses Sseruyide, Steven Mukwala

Wakiso Giants XI: Derrick Emukule GK, Edward Saturo, Simon Namwanja, Grant Masiko, Moses Aliro, Tom Masiko, Lawrence Bukenya, Hassan Wasswa, Joshua Lubwama, Hassan Ssenyonjo, Titus Ssematimba

BUL Football Club thrashed Arua Hill 4-0 to end their six-game unbeaten run in the league at Kyabazinga Stadium in Bugembe.

Musa Esenu (brace), Ibrahim Nsimbe, and Ibrahim Kazindula were on target for BUL FC leading the Jinja side to their first win after back-to-back draws.

Esenu put BUL in the lead when he calmly controlled the ball before beating Rogers Omedwa in the 18th minute.

Two minutes into the second half, Esenu doubled the host’s lead before Nsimbe made it three in the 54th minute.

Kazindula iced the win with a freekick.

BUL maintains the third spot on the log with 25 points from 13 matches while Arua Hill drops to 5th with 21 points from 13 matches.

Next Up

BUL FC will travel to Wakiso for a date with Wakiso Giants at Kabaka Kyabaggu Stadium as Arua Hill welcomes Vipers at the Barifa Stadium on Tuesday, 4th January.

Starting XIs

BUL XI: Saidi Keni (GK), Douglas Muganga, Richard Ayiko, Walter Ochora, Hillary Onek, Ibrahim Kazindula, Pascal Ngobi, Ibrahim Mugulusi, Reagan Kalyowa, Ibrahim Nsimbe, Musa Esenu

Arua Hill XI: Rogers Omedwa (GK), Atendele Geriga, Richard Matovu, Vuni Bright Joseph, Ibrahim Magandaazi, Faizul Ibrahim, David Ndihabwe, Gadafi Gadinho, Ivan Eyam, Samuel Ssekamatte, Alfred Leku

Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) has called off Uganda Cranes’ trip to United Arab Emirates (UAE).

This follows UAE’s ban on flights from Uganda to Dubai until further notice due to the surge of Covid-19 cases.

In a statement released by the Football governing body, “challenges with flight travel” were cited as the reason for cancellation.

“FUFA has called off the Uganda Cranes trip to United Arab Emirates due to challenges with flight travel,” read part of the statement.

“Logistically, the time available for arrangement of an alternative flight is not enough for the contingent to fly into UAE.”

Uganda Cranes were supposed to fly out on Wednesday 29th December 2021 for two intentional matches against AFCON bound National Teams – Gabon and Mauritania on 30th December 2021 and 2nd January 2022 respectively.

Despite the cancellation, FUFA is reportedly still in negotiations to have friendly games against Turkey, Moldova and Iceland.