• FUFA Drum 2023 | Results

• West Nile Province 2-1 Busoga Province

West Nile Province registered a 2-1 victory against Busoga Province in the ongoing 2023 FUFA Drum tournament on Sunday evening.

The defending champions West Nile held on till late to squeeze a victory at Padari Stadium in Adjumani District.

It was a cagey first half as both sides fired blanks in the first 45 minutes of the tense game.

Two minutes into the second stanza, Cromwell Rwothmio gave West Nile Province the lead.

In the 54th minute, Ibrahim Kazindula restored parity from the 12-yard mark.

In the final minute of the game, Junior Andama restored the hosts’ lead to send the crowd crazy in jubilation.

Busoga United missed the services of Laban Tibita who has been the team’s finest player in the campaign so far.

Tibita’s absence was evident in the way Busoga created a few chances compared to the previous games in the campaign.

The victory only but regains the hope of West Nile who will be doing all it takes to defend their FUFA Drum trophy.

How they lined up

West Nile Province: Norman Angufidru (Gk), Rogers Okumu, Rashid Okocha, Bright Vuni, Patrick Vuni, Rashid Yakin, Peter Onzima, Gibson Adinho, Shaban Muhammad, Wahab Gadaffi, Cromwel Rwothomio

Busoga Province: Did Muhammad (Gk), Ibrahim Kazindula, Isma Kawawulo, Bakari Magunda, Peter Musoke, Pascal Ngobi, Jeromy Kirya, Daniel Shabena, Umar Mulobe, Isaac Wagoina, Amos Kirya

FUFA Drum 2023 | Saturday Results

• Ankole 1-2 Teso
• Kampala 1-1 Lango

Teso Province registered a 2-1 victory against Ankole Province in the ongoing FUFA Drum in a game played on Saturday evening.

Isaac Ogwang’s brace gave Teso Province the edge to register a narrow victory away from home.

The away side started like a bush on fire hence stanging their intention right away from the on set.

In the 12th minute, Isaac Ogwang placed the visitors ahead hence piling a load on the shoulders of Ankole Province.

Four minutes later, Ogwang doubled the lead thus pushing Teso even further into the driving seat.

At the end of the first 45 minutes, Teso was in the lead comfortably creating a somber mood for the home fans.

At the top of the hour, Ankole halved the deficit through Sunny Kaija.

Ankole threw several bodies upfront seeking for a let leveller but Teso’s backline was up for the challenge.

The home crowd rallied their boys as they pushed them to get back into the game but they couldn’t pick a point from the game.

FUFA Drum | Saturday Results

• Kampala 1-1 Lango
• Ankole 1-2 Teso

Kampala and Lango Province shared spoils at Muteesa II Stadium in a one-all draw as the FUFA Drum returned on Saturday.

Moses Aliro’s second-half penalty cancelled Reagan Male’s first-half strike as Lango picked a point off ten-man Kampala.

Lango started the game on the front foot, putting pressure on the home team but Kampala weathered the storm and took control of proceedings at Wankulukuku.

Reagan Male fired the hosts in the lead five minutes to halftime after beating a couple of defenders, a lead Kampala took to the dressing rooms for the break.

Moses Aliro could have gone one-on-one with the goalkeeper but he was fouled by Andrew Kaggwa who was given marching orders.

After recess, there was not much end-to-end action until the moment Lango got the opportunity to equalize from the penalty spot after Aliro was brought down in the area with about 20 minutes to play.

In the other game played, Isaac Ogwang’s first-half brace earned Teso Province all points against Ankole in a 2-1 win at Kabwohe. Sunny Kaija netted the consolation for the hosts.

The group stage action continues tomorrow (Sunday, 10th September) as defending champions West Nile host Busoga at Padari Stadium in Adjumani District while at Humura Primary School Playground in Kyegegwa, Tooro takes on Bunyoro.

According to Swift Sports, Uganda Cranes goalkeeper Charles Lukwago is finally off the hook after getting a new club.

After leaving St George in the ongoing transfer market, Lukwago became a free agent and has been on the market for a few months.

But reports indicate he will be joining Hawassa City in Ethiopia.

Hawassa has beaten a number of clubs to capture Lukwago’s signature including the custodian’s former side KCCA.

Lukwago’s growing curve has been previously hampered by injuries but after sealing off the latest deal, he will have a fresh chance to regain his form.

He becomes the fourth Ugandan custodian to play in the Ethiopian league joining Saidi Keni (Shashemene City), Alionzi Nafian (Makelakeya SC) and Robert Odongokara (Wolkite City).

Uganda Cranes captain Khalid Aucho has called upon his teams to keep their heads high even after missing out on the ticket to AFCON 2023.

The Cranes registered a 2-0 victory against Niger in the last game of the qualification run. However, the victory only took them to seven points, one behind neighbours Tanzania.

“Do not lose hope but keep your heads high,” Aucho rallied his teammates after a painful ending of the campaign.

Since the 2019 AFCON edition, Uganda has not had a chance to play on the continental stage but Aucho promised Ugandans that they (players) will keep fighting to regain the lost glory.

“I thank all the Ugandans who have supported us to date. We are humbled by the continuous support throughout.

“Yes, we hardly managed to make it [but] kindly give us a chance to keep chasing the dream,” he added.

“Kindly do not lose hope we shall take the team back to the continent because that is where we ought to be.”

The attention will swiftly turn to the hunt for the World Cup ticket since the qualification journey gets underway later in November.

Uganda is in the same group as Algeria, Guinea, Somalia, and Botswana.

• AFCON 2023 Qualifiers | Group F Results

• Niger 0-2 Uganda
• Algeria 0-0 Tanzania

Uganda Cranes registered a comfortable 2-0 victory against Niger in a match played at Grand Stade Marrakech in Morocco on Thursday.

However, the victory was not enough to send the Cranes into the final Africa Cup of Nations tournament as Tanzania took the second spot in the group.

This means that Ugandans will have to watch another AFCON since taking part in the 2019 edition which was the last one to have the Cranes.

In the 18th minute, Aziz Kayondo placed Uganda Cranes ahead after his lofted cross wildly found the back of the net.

With five minutes to end the first stanza, Joseph Ochaya’s minor touch changed the direction of Milton Karisa’s powerful effort to double Uganda’s lead.

The Cranes came knocking again as Elvis Bwomono released Karisa on the right flank but his low hard cross was put out for a corner.

In the 58th minute, Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredejovic made a double change introducing Richard Basangwa and Rogers Mato for Fahad Bayo and Faruku Miya.

In the other game, Tanzania held their nerves to pick a golden point against Algeria in the barren stalemate.

The point took Tanzania to eight points one above Uganda hence booking a ticket into the upcoming AFCON tournament.

Uganda Cranes will switch attention to the World Cup qualifiers which are set to kick off later in November.

Uganda Cranes XI: Salim Magoola (GK), Elvis Beomono, Aziz Kayondo, Bevis Mugabi, Halid Lwaliwa, Khalid Aucho, Bobosi Byaruhanga, Milton Karisa, Farouk Miya, Fahad Bayo, Joseph Ochaya

• HT: Niger 0-2 Uganda Cranes

Uganda Cranes is in the lead after the opening forty-five minutes of the match against Niger at Grand Stade Marrakech in Morocco.

Aziz Kayondo and Joseph Ochaya have given the Cranes a deserved lead in a game they have played with urgency and caution.

In the 10th minute, Aziizi Kayondo had a cross blocked for a fruitless corner delivered by Miya before a slight injury scare for skipper Khalid Aucho as he limped off in the 14th minute before returning.

Kayondo who has been busy on the left wing had a wild effort drop in the back of the net to give Cranes the lead in the 17th minute.

In the 39th minute, the Cranes were celebrating again. Milton Karisa’s shot was flicked by Ochaya past Niger’s goalkeeper Naim Van Attenhoven to make it 2-0.

In the other Group F game, it’s still goalless between Algeria and Tanzania which means as it stands, Uganda is still 3rd in the group and out of the qualification spot.

Uganda Cranes XI: Salim Magoola (GK), Elvis Beomono, Aziz Kayondo, Bevis Mugabi, Halid Lwaliwa, Khalid Aucho, Bobosi Byaruhanga, Milton Karisa, Farouk Miya, Fahad Bayo, Joseph Ochaya

Wakiso Giants head coach John ‘Ayala’ Luyinda is worried about the low goal return during the preseason.

Wakiso Giants have scored three goals in the concluded FUFA Super 8 against Maroons FC.

And failed to find the back of the net in the other two against KCCA at MTN Omondi Stadium, Lugogo and Kabaka Kyabaggu, Wakiso.

“We have not yet hit the back of the net in the trial games. It bothers me so much,” Ayala told Kawowo Sports.

Wakiso Giants lost 2-0 to Vipers SC in a friendly game on Wednesday, September 7, 2023.

In the game, the Purple Sharks created more chances but failed to convert any which left the gaffer, Ayala disappointed throughout the game.

With eight games to the Uganda Premier League opener, Ayala is confident that through trying now and then they will get better as a team.

“The good thing is that from the the time we started pre-season training up until now, there is progress, especially in the creation which would worry me the most if we were not.“

Last season, Wakiso Giants finished eighth on a 16-teamed log with 36 points in 28 games played.

Uganda Cranes coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic has named the starting XI for the AFCON 2023 Qualifiers match against Niger.

The Cranes take on Niger in the ultimate qualification game for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers at Grand Stade Marrakech, Morocco needing nothing short of victory.

Salim Magoola maintains his place in goal.

Elvis Bwomono is in for Kenneth Ssemkula at right back while Abdul Aziizi Kayiondo maintains his place in the left back.

Bevis Mugabi and Halidi Lwaliwa pair up in the centre of defence and will be shielded by skipper Khalid Aucho and Bobosi Byaruhanga with Faruku Miya just behind the front three.

Vipers winger Milton Karisa and Joseph Ochaya join Bayo who leads Uganda’s attack in what looks like a 4-3-3 system.

Uganda Cranes XI: Salim Magoola (GK), Elvis Beomono, Aziz Kayondo, Bevis Mugabi, Halid Lwaliwa, Khalid Aucho, Bobosi Byaruhanga, Milton Karisa, Farouk Miya, Fahad Bayo, Joseph Ochaya

• 2023 AFCON Qualifiers | Thursday, September 7

• Niger vs Uganda – 10:00 PM (EAT)
• Algeria vs Tanzania – 10:00 PM (EAT)

Uganda Cranes will be seeking to qualify for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations tournament having missed the previous edition.

The Cranes last took part in the continental grand show at the 2019 edition, four years down the road the story has been different.

Uganda find themselves between a rock and a hard place as they head into the last game of the AFCON qualifiers.

The Cranes go into Thursday’s encounter against Niger needing a minimum of three points to keep their chances of qualification alive.

The 2-1 loss to Algeria compounded Uganda’s sorrow since neighbours, Tanzania had picked a victory against Niger.

Therefore, it’s an all-or-nothing for Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredejovic’s troops ahead of the clash against Niger at the Grand Stadium of Marrakech, Morocco.

Uganda Cranes defender Joseph Ochaya has rallied the locals to support the boys ahead of what seems to be a crucial assignment.

“We are asking everyone’s support. We are praying for this win because we need it more,” Ochaya told the media.

“The mood is good, and everyone is focused on the crucial assignment. We know how important the game is to us and the country at large,” he added.

Micho is set to face a headache while picking on the first eleven to take on the battle. It will not be only a fight for the victory but also guard his job that lies on the thread.

In the first meeting of the two, it ended with a 1-1 draw at St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende. Uganda has only registered a victory out of the five games in the ongoing campaign.

A victory in the last game of the qualifiers is all that Uganda needs to seal off the campaign in style.