Uganda Premier side URA FC is braced to take on BUL FC in the FUFA Super 8 finals at MTN Omondi Stadium, Lugogo.

Following the demise of former head coach Sam Timbe, Fred Muhumuza took up the interim coaching role and his first assignment was against KCCA FC.

However, he is not allowed to get excited yet but to come as underdogs into the final game of the tournament.

“Finals are tricky games; we’ve prepared for all eventualities because we expect a tight game,” Muhumuza said.

“BUL FC has won the Uganda Cup in the past three years, and we have won nothing,” he added.

The game against the oil manufacturers becomes the first final of the Tax Collectors in the last eight years.

“We do not take them for granted, we are the underdogs, but we promise to give our fans a good game on Sunday because we want to win the cup.”

To reach the final, URA FC went past Bright Stars in the earlier outing before ousting KCCA FC in a 2-1 victory during the semifinal clash.

They last lifted the Uganda Cup in the 2013/14 season and the Uganda Premier League in the 2010/11 season but Sunday provides a chance for them to end the thirst for silverware.

As the current transfer nears an end, teams are searching for quality players to beef up their squads, while players are seeking teams to better their careers.

Goalkeeper Braddy Wokorach is the latest addition to SC Villa’s roster ahead of the 2023/24 season that gets underway this month.

Wokorach was among the players recently released by the newly promoted NEC FC as they swept their house ahead of the new assignment.

Wokorach has been awarded a three-year employment contract that keeps him glued at the club until 2026.

Wokorach was a vital piece in NEC’s puzzle as they found a route into the top tier. He kept nine clean sheets in 18 games played for the Bugolobi-based side.

He was part of the NEC squad that won ten games, drew five, and only lost thrice, conceding 11 goals on the journey.

Wokorach will face competition from Meddie Kibirige and Norman Angufinduru to take up the starting slot in between the sticks.

Reports indicate Gavin Kizito has returned to Uganda Premier League side SC Villa.

The defender joins UPL record holders from Egyptian side Al-Ittihad where he spent a season.

The defender cemented the reports after a suspicious post on his Twitter account.

“Hello SC Villa,” he posted before the club responded, “Clearly we have got unfinished business Mr Twagala Silverware.”

Kizito’s contract was terminated by abruptly terminated by Al-Ittihad ending the the marriage on a sudden note.

He is a great addition to the squad. Kizito is a versatile player who adds depth to the defensive options of the club.

SC Villa recently lost their former captain Gift Fred but Kizito’s presence creates an answer to the lingering questions of the Joogos defence.

Uganda Premier League side URA FC confirmed the departure of goalkeeper Alionzi Nafian.

It’s an emotional move as the shot-stopper and the seven-year marriage of the two sides.

The announcement was made via the club’s official website on Thursday, August 31, 2023.

“Everyone at URA FC would like to thank Mr. Safe Hands for all the memories at the club,” the statement partly read.

“We wish you all the best at your new home,” it added.

Nafian thanked the club for having nurtured him for over seven years having joined as a young little boy from Arua.

“I thank URA FC that has seen me through the past seven years. I joined as a vacist (sic) and am leaving as a graduate thanks to the management of the team,” he said.

The goalkeeper joined URA FC switching from Onduparaka FC in 2016 after he finished senior six at Kibuli SS.

Nafian has made 77 league appearances among which he got booked thrice and received marching orders once.

URA FC has already replaced Alionzi with Denis Otim from Express FC and Rogers Omedwa from Arua Hill SC.

• CAF Women Champions League Zonal Qualifiers

• CBE 0(4)-0(5) JKT Queens

Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE) missed out on the continental ticket after losing its second final of the CAF Women Champions League Zonal Qualifiers.

CBE was edged by Tanzania’s JKT Queens 5-4 in a penalty shoot-out after a goalless draw, missing out on the CECAFA Zonal title.

Since its inauguration, CBE was playing its second finals after losing to Kenya’s Vihiga Queens in 2021.

Even though JKT Queens were playing their first tournament, they held their nerves and concluded the assignment in style.

On their way to the finals, they won all their games and conceded only one goal in all the games played in the championship.

The two sides played to a goalless draw in normal time, there was no goal witnessed in extra time before they were sent at the 12-yard mark.

In normal time, CBE was the better side of the two creating a number of chances more so in the second stanza but JKT’s goalkeeper Najat Abasi dealt with the threat.

The victory sends JKT onto the continental stage. It will be the second Tanzanian club to play in the Champions League after Simba Queens.

In the classification game, debutants Buja Queens from Burundi beat former champions Vihiga Queens 1-0 to take home bronze.

• Practice Game | Results
• Uganda Cranes 1-1 SC Villa

Uganda Cranes and Uganda Premier League side SC Villa shared spoils in a one-all draw after a practice game played at Muteesa II Stadium, Wankulukuku.

Denis Omedi scored for Uganda Cranes before Kenneth Semakula scored into his net and the game ended on a square note.

It was a trial game as Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic tried the sharpness and fitness of his troops ahead of the Niger clash early next month.

The Uganda Cranes squad was made up of the local contingent since the professionals have not yet hit the ground in the camp.

While SC Villa lined up a proper lineup as they sharpen their squad ahead of the FUFA Super 8 semifinal clash against KCCA FC on Sunday at MTN Omondi Stadium, Lugogo.

The Cranes are third in Group F with four points remaining with one game to conclude the campaign.

The clash against Niger is a must-win and Cranes will pray Tanzania loses against Algeria for their chance to keep alive.

The Cranes will continue with preparations as the camp continues to welcome new members on board.

How they lined up

Uganda Cranes: Charles Lukwago (GK), James Begisa, Aziz Kayondo, Samson Kasozi, Kenneth Ssemakula, Siraje Sentamu, Brian Mato, Moses Waiswa, Laban Tibita, Milton Karisa, Marvin Oshaba.

SC Villa XI: Norman Angufidru (GK), Peter Onzima, Hamza Lutalo, Arnold Odong, Edward Masembe, Hamza Mulambuzi, Hamis Diego Ssemugera, Abasi Kyeyune, Ivan Bogere, Charles Lwanga, David Owori.

Uganda Premier League side Wakiso Giants have entered the race to sign Hakim Kiwanuka.

SC Villa had come so close to agreeing on an employment contract with Kiwanuka but discussions have reportedly frozen due to finances.

Wakiso Giants feel they can offer a better deal to snatch the talented goal-poacher as SC Villa watches.

For starters, Wakiso Giants lost two lethal forwards last season, Frank Ssebuffu left the Purple Sharks in the middle of the season before Sharif Kimbowa also used the back door during the ongoing transfer window.

Kiwanuka had moved to Scotland for Trials but it seems they were not successful and he is back in the country at his club Proline FC.

If Kiwanuka fails to agree on a deal with SC Villa it will be the second time since the two parties came close to sealing a deal last season before it fell apart late.

Reports indicate Proline is open to hearing from any party that holds successful personal terms with the player.

SC Villa has already signed Denis Ojara, Elvis Ngonde, Peter Onzima, Charles Lwanga, Misi Ssemugera and Cyrus Kibande meanwhile a number of players have departed.

FUFA Super | Results | Tuesday, 29 August, 2023

• Vipers SC 1(4)-1(5) Bright Stars
• Maroons FC 1-3 Wakiso Giants

Sunday, September 3, 2023

3rd Place Playoff
KCCA FC vs SC Villa – 2PM

Finals
URA FC vs BUL FC – 4PM

Bright Stars sealed off the fifth position in the FUFA Super 8 on Tuesday evening.

Bright Stars registered a 5-4 penalty shootout win against Vipers SC at St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende.

The two sides played to a one-all draw in a game that was attended by relatively low numbers.

Gideon Etou placed Bright Stars ahead before Mohammed Salem Ekbad levelled matters in normal time.

It was a very low mood at Kitende since Vipers were ousted by Jwaneng Galaxy from the CAF Champions League on Saturday.

In the 30th minute, Etou rose highest to node home Denis Omony’s well-weighted corner kick, hence giving the visitors a lead.

Bright Stars continued to put pressure on the home side but Vipers custodian Dennis Kiggundu was alert to avert danger.

Nine minutes into the second half, Ekbad levelled matters after the striker found Bright Stars’ defenders and custodian sleeping on the job.

The 90 minutes ended 1-1 and the centre referee sent the two sides into spot kicks.

Vipers’ penalties were converted by Karim Watambala, Bright Anukani, and Richard Matovu while Dan Sserunkuma missed from the 12-yard mark.

On the other side Etou, Omony, Samuel Kato, David Kizza and goalkeeper Derrick Were netted Bright Stars penalty to emerge victors.

How they lined up

Vipers: Denis Kiggundu (GK), Grant Matsiko, Richard Matovu, Abubakar Lawal, Bright Anukani, Martin Kiiza, David Bagoole, Murushid Juuko, Marvin Joseph Youngman, Awesome Fumador, Livingstone Mulondo.

Bright Stars: Derrick Were (GK), Innocent Kitimbo, Denis Omony Kaka, Gideon Etou, David Kiiza, Ashraf Mulindi, Yassin Mugume, Fiat Cleophus, Noordin Bunjo, Alex Mandela, Warren Buule.

Uganda Cranes goalkeeper Nafian Alionzi confirmed his departure from URA FC after seven years at the club.

Alionzi has been captain of the Tax Collectors for the past two seasons but the marriage of the two sides finally comes to an end.

The confirmation was made public through a statement released by Alionzi on Monday, August 29.

“Thank you, URA for giving me a chance to an ambitious boy,“ the statement reads.

“Seven years of parenting and nurturing is not found everywhere. My sincere and humble appreciation to the URA FC management, the technical team, the support staff, the players and the fans,” it added.

“Your hospitality during my stay with you. Wishing you the very best in your future endeavours,” it concluded.

The Tax Collectors have always secured Alionzi’s replacements in Denis Otim and Rogers Omedwa.

Reports indicate that Alionzi is destined to join Ethiopian side, Mekelakeya SC.

The custodian leaves URA FC having staged an emphatic show across the seven years. Last year he made 26 appearances in the league, and bagged 12 clean sheets.

• African Cup of Nation Qualifiers
• Thursday, September 7, 2023
• Niger vs Uganda Cranes

Uganda Cranes captain Emmanuel Okwi is a major doubt to take part in the country’s final game of the 2023 AFCON qualifiers.

The Cranes are set to play Niger in Marrakech, Morocco on 7th September 2023, in their last game of the qualifiers.

According to Sports Nation, the Cranes captain, Okwi will not be part of the squad because he is nursing an injury.

It’s a big blow for coach Miltun ‘Micho’ Sredojevic as he seeks a big win as they pray for Tanzania to lose against Algeria.

Uganda Cranes have been struggling with getting goals and this leaves Micho with a headache on how to get the much-needed goals.

The football fraternity will however have mixed feelings because Okwi has played the recent games in the ongoing campaign but has no goal.

The Cranes entered the residential camp yesterday (Monday) at Cranes Paradise, Hotel in Kisasi to kickstart preparations.

However, it’s not all done, Micho will now turn sight to Fahad Bayo, Richard Basangwa, and Frank Ssebufu to lead the attack against Niger.