• Uganda Premier League
• Friday, October 20, 2023
• Kitara FC 3-1 KCCA FC

Kitara Football Club beat KCCA Football Club 3-1 in the Uganda Premier League at Masindi Stadium on Friday evening.

It was the fourth loss for KCCA after earlier falling to BUL FC, Maroons FC and Express FC. The poor run ultimately creates tension in the Lugogo camp.

In the 24th minute, Paddy Muhumuza was introduced to replace Solomon Okwalinga who was stretched off due to an injury.

Eufranio Cungulo’s sweet delivery was nodded away by Kitara’s skipper Maxwell Owachgiu to deny Muhammad Shaban who was waiting on the far end.

A minute later, defender Peter Magambo found himself in an unfamiliar place remaining with a keeper to beat but Kitara’s custodian Chrispus Kusiima rushed off his line to make a big save.

With a minute left to play in the first half, Living Kabon gave the Royals the lead after being set up by Donato Okello.

Four minutes into the second stanza, Paul Mucureezi doubled the hosts’ lead with a well-curled free kick to further punish his former paymasters.

KCCA had a chance to pull one back but Emmanuel Loki failed to perfectly connect with Hassan Mubiru’s cross with a goal at his disposal.

On top of the hour, Kitara made a double change calling off Brian Aheebwa and Mucureezi to be replaced by Denis Omendi and Jude Ssemugabi.

In the 67th minute, Omedi had a chance to extend the lead but his last touch was too heavy thus giving possession to KCCA’s custodian Juma Mutebi.

In added time, Omendi extended the lead to three after a low hard shot went past Mutebi and the home fans went crazy.

Late as the game was winding, Brazilian forward Joao Gabriel gave KCCA a consolation through a freekick.

The victory sends Kitara FC to 12 points while KCCA continue to languish at the bottom of the log with no point.

How they lined up

Kitara FC XI: Chrispas Kusiima (GK), Maxwell Owachgiu, Jasper Aheebwa, Ibrahim Magandaazi, Benjamin Nyakoojo, Donato Okello, Frank Tumwesigye, Paul Mucureezi, Solomon Okwalinga, Living Kabon, Brian Aheebwa, Solomon Okwalinga

KCCA FC XI: Juma Mutebi (GK), Filbert Obenchan, Rogers Atube, Peter Magambo, Mustafa Kizza, Joel Sserunjogi, Eufranio Cungulo, Saidi Mayanja, Emmanuel Loki, Muhammad Shaban, Etienne Katenga, Emmanuel Loki UPL:

Forward Emmanuel Peter Loki is the most recent addition to KCCA FC’s roster, but he comes with lofty goals.

Loki announced to the press during a pre-match news conference that he would go to any length to make his contribution to the club’s recovery.

“I have found the club caught up in a poor run but am here to see that we work hard and get it back to winning ways.

“I am glad that am going to make my debut for the best club in Africa. I will do all it takes to fight for the badge and try to get better results,” he added.

The Kasasiro Boys have lost all three games in the Uganda Premier League and are looking to snap their losing streak.

Today, KCCA will face table leaders Kitara FC at Masindi Stadium in a must-win game as they try to find a way out of the dark tunnel.

“We need the three points, I have settled in easily so it will be easy for me to work with my teammates to get the job done.

“I am at ease and find myself so confident to be at this club,” he concluded.

With three games played in the 2023/24 Uganda Premier League season, KCCA sits 14th on the 16-team log.

Uganda Premier League | Friday Fixtures

• Kitara FC vs KCCA FC
• BUL FC vs Maroons FC 
• NEC FC vs UPDF FC
• Vipers SC vs Villa SC

KCCA FC have had a worrying start to the 2023-24 Uganda Premier League campaign with three consecutive losses in the games played so far.

The poor harvest has created a lot of discussions on what could be the reasons behind the poor run but no conclusion has been reached.

While they still search for a way out of the mess, KCCA will play table leaders Kitara FC at Masindi Stadium on Friday, October 20th.

Portuguese gaffer Sergio Traguil says enough is enough and it is now the perfect time to get back on to the right path.

“It is time to step up and bring responsibility to ourselves,” Sergio said in the pre-match conference before adding; “We are men, so we have to change things right away.”

“It is time to show Uganda what this club means. There is no required result apart from winning. We shall no longer have home and away games because we need all points.”

It will now not matter how they pick the maximum points on the road but rather do all it takes to finally get off the mark.

“What matters now is only winning. We know our mistakes, most of them have been silly but we have worked on them and I hope the boys will respond.”

“We need to change some things in our game. Our attacking line has to be more lethal but also the backline should tighten up,” he concluded.

Team News

Emmanuel Peter Loki will be seeking his debut since he made the travelling squad to Mansindi. Also, Anthony Emojong returns from injury and is expected to go directly in between the sticks.

Midfielder Emmanuel Waiswa and goalkeeper Derrick Ochan will not feature in the game since they are serving their suspension according to reports.

Head to Head

The two sides have met twice in the top-tier league and KCCA has won both registering 6-2 and 4-0 victories. 

• Uganda Premier League
• Thursday, October 19, 2023
• Busoga United 0-0 Mbarara City

Mbarara City and Busoga United played to a goalless stalemate in the Uganda Premier League at FUFA Technical Centre, Njeru on Thursday.

It was an even contest as both sides were quite equal to each other both on offence and in defence.

In the first half, Mbarara got a few chances but his efforts were not accurately directed failing to find the target.

Two minutes into the second stanza, Henry Kitegenyi got the best chance to put Mbarara City upfront but his touch was too heavy failing to find the target.

Ten moments later, Busoga engineered a thrilling attack through a forest of legs but the attack hardly materialized after the assistant referee flagged Fredrick Ngalo to be offside.

Mbarara City later contested a penalty after the ball went off Aggrey Madoi’s hand but the referee waved away.

At full-time time none of the two sides had found the back of the net.

The stalemate means Mbarara City is still winless with three draws and a loss in the four games played.

While Busoga United have so far garnered four points in four games played into the campaign.

Next on the menu, Busoga will play Gaddafi on Tuesday, October 24 and Mbarara will host Arua Hill SC on Wednesday (a day later).

As the group stage of the MTN Busoga Masaza Cup nears its end, teams continue the search for points to get into the knockout stage.

On Wednesday, 18th October, Kyabazinga Stadium in Bugembe hosted a doubleheader with Bunha and Bukooli Bugiri emerging victorious.

Bunha returned to their winning ways with a convincing 2-0 victory over Budiope. Following a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Bunhole Bunanumba last week, Bunha needed victory to stay in contention for a quarterfinal spot.

Head coach Ronald Lukungu remained optimistic about their quarterfinal prospects and victory on Wednesday keeps them firmly in the equation. Jamil Mukungu and substitute Brian Muzuni were on target to earn Bunha maximum points.

“I will not say that we played well today because we deserved at least 5 goals based on the weakness of the opponent we faced today,” Lukungu said of the game.

The three points earned pushed Bunha to second place in Nhenda Hill Group with 7 points.

Bunha take on group leaders Bukooli Namayingo on Saturday, 21st October at Bugembe stadium in the ultimate group game.

Bukooli Bugiri edge Butembe

In the match played on the day, Bukooli Bugiri picked a hard-fought 1-0 win over Butembe. This victory was a significant boost for Bukooli Bugiri in the Mawembe Hill Group.

The two sides displayed a high-intensity game in the first half, battling both their opponents and the oppressive humidity. However, it was Bukooli Bugiri who managed to edge ahead with a crucial goal, securing all three points.

Up Next

The 2023 MTN Busoga Masaza Cup group stage comes to an end this weekend with six matches to be played on Saturday and Sunday.

On Saturday, there will be four matches played which include; Bunhole Bunanumba taking on Budiope, Bunha battles Bukooli Namayingo, Bulamogi taking on Bugweri and Kigulu hosts Bukono.

The Sunday fixtures will see Bukooli Bugiri visit Buzaya while Luuka hosts Busiki.

• Uganda Premier League | Fixtures | Thursday, October 19
• Arua Hill SC vs Gaddafi FC
• Busoga United vs Mbarara City

Gaddafi FC head coach David Mutono is confident that the team’s poor run will end in the outing against Arua Hill SC in Paridi on Thursday evening.

Gaddafi has so far lost all three of their opening against Vipers SC, URA FC and Kitara FC.

Arua Hill SC fell to Busoga United, Vipers SC and BUL landing on the bottom of the log.

“We confident that we shall get the three points,” Mutono said in the pre-match conference.

“We have not had the luck for the past three games. We know our mistakes and we have tried to rectify them during our training,” he added.

In the last four meetings, the Soldier Boys have picked two victories, the Kongolo have one win and share spoils once.

In the other game, Busoga started the season with a 1-0 victory against Arua Hill SC but went on to lose two games take on Mbarara City.

Mbarara City lost their opening game before registering two stalemates later on.

Both sides will fight for maximum points to get the campaign onto the right path.

Uganda Cranes’ interim head coach Morley Byekwaso revealed that the loss to Zambia provides lessons to him and the troops at large.

On Tuesday evening, Uganda suffered a 3-0 loss to Zambia at Al Hamriya Sports Club Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

This was the second loss of the international break after falling to Mali in a 1-0 loss but Byekwaso insists they picked lessons as a team.

I think it has been a good thing for the team to play the two friendly games,” he noted in the post-match press conference.

“We have picked several lessons from these two friendly games. Three goals conceded sounds big but the game was close though we didn’t take our chances,” he added.

“There are a few things we lacked but they ended up creating the difference. I believe we would have scored Zambia at least two goals but we failed on that.”

Ugandans have cried foul of the low goals turn up but Byekwaso believes it is so because of the low concentration levels of the forwards.

“We have gotten the chances but our concentration levels were so low and we ought to improve that as soon as possible,” he concluded.

Uganda Cranes will shift attention to the World Cup Qualifiers that will get underway earlier next month.

• International Friendly
• Tuesday, October 17, 2023
• Zambia 3-0 Uganda

Uganda Cranes suffered a 3-0 loss to Zambia in an International Friendly played at Al Hamriya Stadium in Sharjah United Arab Emirates.

It was the second successive loss for Uganda Cranes who earlier fell to Mali in a 1-0 narrow loss.

The post-Micho era has surely kicked off on the wrong note and the football governing body will seek to make amends instantly.

In the 5th minute, Uganda Cranes were already down after Patson Daka converted from the spot.

Uganda had a chance to level matters after Milton Karisa whipped in a low cross but Richard Basangwa was late to make contact.

At the stroke of the first half, Bright Anukani’s curling freekick was blocked by the wall and Uganda went into the resting room trailing by a goal.

Fashion Sakala later doubled Zambia’s lead with a powerful header in the 63rd minute as Uganda’s backline looked on helplessly.

In the 70th minute, Daka completed a brace, nodding into an empty net after the goalkeeper Joel Mutakubwa had rushed off his line.

Uganda will have to pick lessons and move one as soon as possible since they will be up for the World Cup qualifiers early next month.

Former Uganda Cranes coach Moses Basena has been appointed as Ihefu SC head coach.

Basena has already started work at the Tanzanian outfit where he seeks to take the club to greater heights.

Basena became jobless after FUFA dissolved Uganda Cranes’ technical team that was led by the Serbian gaffer Milutin `Micho’ Sredojevic.

The development was made public on Monday, October 16 via the club’s social handles.

“Our club has reached an agreement with Uganda Coach Moses Basena to lead our team as head coach. Basena is a highly regarded coach in East Africa and will now lead our technical bench,“ the statement read.

Ready for the job

Basena revealed that he is excited to work with a club that matches his ambitions.

“I am excited to be joining such an ambitious club whose ambitions match mine,” Basena said.

“I call upon everyone to join hands together for the good of the club so that we achieve all our targets,” he added.

Basena has replaced Zuber Katwila who recently walked through the back door having worked with the club since 2020.

Basena is expected to be joined by Fred Kajoba who will take up the duo role of assistant coach and goalkeeping coach.

Currently, Ihefu SC is eighth on the log with six points in five games played so far.

Charles Ayiekoh Lukula officially started business with the Crested Cranes ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games qualifiers.

Uganda will host Cameroon in the first leg of the qualifiers at FUFA Technical Centre, Njeru on Thursday, October 26, 2023.

Ayiekoh was appointed on an interim basis that will last for a month but the result against Cameroon will be vital in making a decision on whether the contract is made permanent or not.

Preparations Start

The preparations ahead of the doubleheader against Cameroon have kicked started with 18 players turning up for the first training at MTN Omondi Stadium.

However, the gaffer is confident that the numbers will increase in the coming days ahead of the clash.

“We had a very low turn up in the first training. It might be so because most of the ladies had games over the weekend and so they choose to rest,” he said after a training session at MTN Omondi Stadium.

“I am happy we have started the journey ahead of Cameroon. The game will not be easy but we shall continue preparing so that we get ready,” he added.

Confident of what lies ahead

Ayiekoh is confident that he and the ladies will get the job done because he is not new in the field and he has worked with the ladies before.

“I am glad to work with the ladies once again. I know them and what they are capable of. I am not new in the field so, I together with the ladies will try to do our best.

“I am glad we play many games here in Uganda. This helps the ladies to have good fitness levels but also have a chance to better their craft.

“I want to call upon all Ugandans to support the ladies because we are going to make them proud,“ he concluded.

Uganda Crested Cranes Squad

Goalkeepers

Karungi Vanessa (FC Nordasjaelland, Denmark), Nakaziro Daisy (Kampala Queens), Namakula Gloria (Kampala Queens), Adeke Juliet (Kawempe Muslim), Kaidu Sharon (Uganda martyrs HS Lubaga)

Defenders

Kobusinge Jolly (Kawempe Muslim SS LFC), Nankwanga Shakirah (Kawempe Muslim SS LFC), Nakibuuka Asia (Kampala Queens FC), Komuntale Sumaya (Kampala Queens), Nankya Shadia (UCU Lady Cardinals FC), Nabisaalu Bridget (UCU Lady Cardinals), Lwalisa Dorcus (Olila High School WFC), Akiror Patricia (Kampala Queens FC), Natooro Desire Katisi (Asubo Gafford Ladies),

Midfielders

Nabirye Joan (FC Minsk, Belarus), Nalugya Shamirah (Kampala Queens), Ndagire Josephine (Kampala Queens), Nabbumba Phiona (Boldklubben AF 1893, Denmark), Nanziri Rhoda (Kawempe Muslim SS LFC), Nababi Amina (Rines SS WFC), Namaganda Zaitun (Wakiso Hill WFC)

Forwards

Ikwaput Fazilah (Kampala Queens), Kunihira Margret (Kampala Queens), Najjemba Fauzia (ZFK Dynamo Moscow, Russia), Ainembabazi Joanitah (Simba Queens, Tanzania), Nambi Violah (Pomigliani Women, Italy), Nagadya Catherine (Kampala Queens), Namata Anitah (Vihiga Queens, Kenya), Nakigozi Elizabeth (Kampala Queens), Kivumbi Ritah (Mallbackens, Sweden), Nandede Zaina (Kampala Queens), Lilian Mutuuzo (Kampala Queens).