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Uganda Premier League | Fixture

Sunday, September 17, 2023

Uganda Premier League champions Vipers SC will kick-start their title defence against Gaddafi at the Gaddafi Arena on Sunday, September 17, 2023.

There has been a lot of business at the Vipers since lifting the trophy. The then-head coach Alex Isabirye has since left and it’s now Brazilian coach Leonard Neiva in charge.

In the press conference, Neiva revealed that his troops are ready for the challenge ahead more so after suffering a blow when they missed on making the CAF Champions League groups.

“It’s a great challenge for us however, we have changed a number of things and it’s been good in our previous trail games,” Neiva told Vipers media.

“We have improved when it comes to ball possession and distribution. We are getting better and I can say we are ready for the game against Gaddafi,” he added.

“We need to keep the ball as we move forward to see that we get full control of the games. It is not easy but have to win the league and the cup.

“We used the FUFA Super 8 to check the players and also give them an opportunity to show who they are. But we now have to forget about it and stick to the plan,” he added.

The last time Vipers made a trip to Jinja City, they lost 1-0 after Alex Kitata scored in the second minute. However, the last meeting between the two sides was in favour of the Vipers after a 2-0 victory.

Uganda Premier League side KCCA Football Club is determined to rewrite its glory story in the continent.

After eliminating Vipers SC, Ugandans will keep their hopes in the Kasasiro Boys to ensure they are represented at the grand stage.

KCCA FC finished second on the log to reach the tournament, but the National Champions Vipers took a double, letting the other ticket go to the Lugogo-based side.

While addressing a press conference, the Portuguese tactician Sergio Traguil expressed readiness for their game against Libya’s Abu Salam in the second preliminary round.

“We have prepared well, the lads are very motivated and we shall do whatever it takes to reach the group stages,” he told the press.

“We are the only hope of continental football for Uganda at the moment. We are ready and fully motivated to take on the assignment,” he added.

Sergio’s troops finished third in the just concluded FUFA Super 8 after flashing lots of hope but the gaffer revealed a number of lessons were picked going forward.

KCCA last played in the CAF Confederation Cup group stages in 2017 before they went into the Champions League a year later.

Kitara FC registered a narrow 2-1 victory against SC Villa in the Uganda Premier League at Muteesa II Stadium, Wankulukuku on Friday.

It was an end-to-end encounter as both sides kept attacking each other.

Before and during the half-time Ziza Bafana entertained the fans to get the league rolling into the 2023/24 campaign.

Eight minutes into the clash, Brian Aheebwa remained with only the goalkeeper to beat but his effort sailed wide from the target.

Denis Omedi tapped home Paul Mucureezi’s cross from close range to give the Hoima-based side a well-deserved lead.

With a minute to end the first stanza, Charles Lwange restored parity with a tap into an empty net. Before the goal, Elvis Ngonde passed through a forest of bodies before his effort bounced off the frame and Lwanga was in the right place to take away the chance.

Peter Onzima’s cutback went across the sight of the goal before landing onto David Owori but the forward skied it with an empty goal at his disposal.

The second half started on a very slow pace as either tried to settle into the game.

Both sides made changes to add more pace but it hardly paid off there and then.

In the 88th minute, George Ssenkaba nearly restored Kitara’s lead but his attempt off Jude Ssemugabi’s delivery went inches wide.

At the death of the game, there was a mixup in the backline before Ngonde scored in his own net.

Starting XIs

SC Villa XI: Norman Angfidru (GK), Kenneth Semakula, Arnold Odong, Peter Onzima, Elvis Ngonde, Abasi Kyeyune, Hamza Mulambuzi, David Owori, Aslam Semakula, Charles Lwanga

Kitara FC XI: Chrispus Kusiima (Gk), Maxwell Owachigiu, Jasper Ahebwa, Ivan Magandanzi, Benjamin Nyakoojo, Okwalinga, Okello, Frank Tumwesigye, Brian Aheebwa, Paul Mucureezi, Denis Omedi

Bishop Stuart University (BSU) registered a 3-1 victory against debutants ISBAT University in the ongoing 2023 University Football League in Mbarara on Thursday.

ISBAT were playing their first game in the tournament and were treated to a baptism of fire witnessing three goals find the back of their net.

It was a duel among two youthful sides taking the ball to each other without fear or favour.

The game attracted a low turn-up of fans compared to earlier games that were played in Nkozi and Kavule respectively.

In the 31st minute, Bishop Stuart University broke down the hard-working backline of ISBAT who had been patient and timely with their blocks.

Christopher Muhwezi held his nerves cool before he converted from the 12-yard mark to send the home fans into celebration.

Four minutes into the second stanza, Honest Atwijuke doubled the lead which meant the visitors had to work hard if they were to pick anything positive from the duel.

Five minutes past the hour-mark, Augustine Akakwasa made it three as the hosts showed their class and quality being quite above the visitors.

From that mark, the hosts got a bit comfortable and it gave room for ISBAT to throw some bodies upfront in search of a reply.

Their hard work paid off when they earned a well-deserved consolation thanks to Geoffrey Pirwoth’s perfect strike from the penalty spot.

The splendid victory takes Bishop Stuart University to the top of Group F.

The 2023 UFL season will continue on Friday, September 15 as Kabale will be hosting the University of Kisubi in the Group A affair.

The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) has parted ways with Uganda Cranes head coach Milutin Sredojevic.

Fufa confirmed this development through a statement on its website, saying the two parties agreed to terminate the contract.

“Today, Thursday 14th September 2023, FUFA and Mr Milutin Sredojevic agreed to mutually end the existing employment contract between the two parties.

“FUFA appreciates all efforts and commitment by Mr. Milutin during his period as Head coach of Uganda Cranes,” reads the Fufa statement.

The decision come on the back of a failed Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers campaign.

Uganda Premier League | Fixture
Friday, September 15, 2023

Record Uganda Premier League champions SC Villa will be hosts to newcomers Kitara FC at Muteesa II Stadium, Wankulukuku when the new season kicks off on Friday.

After challenging for the title in the 2022/23 campaign, SC Villa will seek to push once again as they seek to end their long trophy drought.

The Jogoos will be hoping to start on the best note as they seek to lay the deserved foundation for a highly anticipated season.

Villa’s captain Semakula Kenneth revealed that they are braced for the opening game after having great preparations.

“We have had good preseason preparations getting ready for the Uganda Premier League. Our first game is against Kitara and we are well prepared,” Semakula said in the pre-match conference.

“The technical team has prepared us well and we hope to have a good season. We call upon the fans to turn up in big numbers so that they support us,” he added.

On the other hand, Kitara FC will be playing their first league game since gaining promotion after clinching the FUFA Big League title.

Kitara FC head coach Brian Ssenyondo said that they come with the confidence that they are the reigning champions of the Big League.

“We go into the game knowing we, not a bad team rather because we hold the confidence knowing we are the champions of Big League,” Ssenyondo noted after their last training session.

“We shall kickstart our league against SC Villa. We have prepared so well, since taking on the job at Kitara till date we have been doing things that put us in a better place to win,” he added.

“I am so confident that we shall go into the pitch and fight for maximum points.

“We are playing against a good side that nearly lifted the league cup last season.”

Both sides have new coaches and have strengthened their roasters with new signings.

With entertainment from celebrated artist Ziza Bafana, it will be a party as the two sides lock horns.

KCCA Football Club head coach Sergio Daniel Traguil has named a 20-man squad that will be travelling to Tunisia.

The Lugogo-based side will be playing against Libya’s Abu Salim in the second preliminary round of the CAF Confederation Cup.

The first leg of the clash will be played on Sunday, September 17, 2023, at the Stade Olympique de Rades.

The earlier thrilling show by the Kasasiro Boys earned them a bye and did not take part in the first preliminary round of the tournament.

According to the club’s official website, the team will travel aboard Fly Emirates on Thursday, September 14 at 4 p.m. before continuing to Tunisia on Friday at 1 p.m.

KCCA FC is the only remaining Ugandan team on the continent after the early elimination of Vipers SC in the CAF Champions League.

The team will move along administration staff comprising Richard Ochom (Leader of Delegation – FUFA), Peter Kibazo (Board Member), Anisha Muhozi (CEO), Moses Kaddu Ssekiti (Manager Administration and Operations) and Robert Julian Mulamule (Media Officer).

The technical staff comprises Sergio Tranguil (Manager), Luis Manuel (Assistant Manager), Jackson Magera (First Team Coach), Eduardo Lazaro Leiva (Strength and Conditioning coach), Moses Oloya (Goalkeeping Coach), Saka Mpiima (Coach), Ivan Ssewanyana (Doctor) and Emmanuel Tusuubira (Physiotherapist).

The Players Travelling

Goal Keepers

Derrick Ochan, Anthony Emojong

Defenders

Bruno Adilson Mfulu, Herbert Achai, Peter Magambo, Fillbert Obenchan, Emilson Gonzaga, Musitafa Mujuzi

Midfielders

Ashraf Mugume, Eufranio Cungulo Da Silva Gui, Faisal Wabyoona, Saidi Mayanja, Moses Waiswa, Hassan Mubiru, Joao Gabriel Esteves Cardoso

Forwards

Julius Poloto (Captain), Usama Kiza Arafat, Ettiene Katenga, Muhammad Shaban, Abubakar Mayanja.

UCU Canons head coach Nicholas Natuhereza has revealed that now their focus switches to the playoffs after sealing their fate on the last day of the regular season.

It has not been the best of seasons for the Mukono-based side that needed a win on the last day to survive dropping to Division One.

Reaching this trying and testing moment left the basketball enthusiasts wondering about a side that has produced some of the finest talents in the country.

“It has not been the best season for us but now our attention switches to the playoffs,” Natuhereza said shortly after the end of the game.

“We put ourselves in this place. So it was still upon us to save the situation that we found ourselves in. It’s good to know that we have duly pulled off the assignment,” he added.

The Canons have the best basketball programs in the country. They have so far played the finals twice in 2015 and 2019 which proves the quality they possess.

However, Coach Nicholas pointed out a few reasons that have dragged them behind where he outlined his continuous movement among those.

“There are a number of reasons that have placed us in this trying moment. But I guess even my continuous movements have not done well for the team.”

“I thank the players for working hard to pick this win. But the fans have also turned up in large numbers and I wish they keep doing so even in the upcoming games,” he concluded.

The Canons finished the regular season with 10 wins and as many losses.

In the NBL Playoffs fixture, the Canons will face off against D-Mark Power.

It was judgment day for UCU Canons as they fought for their life on the last day of the National Basketball League regular season.

UCU Canons registered a 79-69 win against well-motivated KCCA Panthers in a close contest at YMCA Court on Wednesday evening.

The Mukono-based side came into the contest knowing a loss would drop them into the lower division.

KCCA Panthers got their shooting preparation right and it was evident as they led the first quarter 27-24.

But the Canons got better as the game went on and they got into the driving seat before the umpire sent the two sides in the long break.

The scoreboard read 47-41 in favor of Coach Nicholas Natuhereza’s troops.

It was in the third quarter when the gap hugely widened to 72-54 as UCU Canons ran away with the game.

The Canons failed to drop a single point in the first six minutes of the final quarter but that hardly changed much as they managed to hold their nerves to pick the vital win.

Peter Sifuma put up a thrilling show as he dropped 20 points and pulled down as many rebounds making him the king of the paint.

Rogers Dauna and Jimmy Otim added 15 and 12 points respectively to award the Canons the much-needed win.

Salim Kasilu topped the Panthers scoring sheet with a game-high of 25 points.

Martin Baluma and Abel Omongin added 10 each as the Panthers went down fighting.

The Canons turned up with a rare crowd that rallied the team and it was a lovely night as they travelled back to Mukono with a victory.

NBL Playoffs Fixture

St Lawrence University registered a 3-1 victory against Nkumba University in the 2023 University Football League at Kavule Grounds.

It was the second day of the 2023/24 campaign and surprisingly it was the same result just like that of day one at Nkonzi Grounds.

In the 8th minute, Osman Arafat Kembo shot the hosts ahead, opening the floodgates thanks to the early pressure from the hosts.

It was a perfect tap-in by Kembo capitalizing on Fahad Aniku’s low hard cross from the right flank.

In the 37th minute, Brian Kiyimba came close to giving Nkumba University a leveler but failed to guide the ball into the net with a goalkeeper to beat.

After the end of 45 minutes, it was a 1-0 lead for David Nnono’s troops.

Micheal Abura doubled the lead for St. Lawrence with a powerful header as he guided home Innocent Matenga’s cross.

A minute to the top of the hour, Matenga turned from provider to scorer as he got the third for the home side.

In the 83rd minute, Abbey Kavuma pulled back one for the visitors but it was late to pick anything positive from the game.

The next game of the campaign will have Bishop Stuart host ISBAT University in Mbarara on Thursday.