Uganda Cranes left-back Mustafa Kizza has reportedly made a U-turn back to Arouca Football Club.

Kizza and the Portuguese side parted ways in December last but the two parties seem to have rekindled their partnership according to The SportsNation.

The roving left-back has been awarded a two-year employment contract that glues him to the club until 2025.

Kizza joined Arouca FC in 2022 after falling out with Montreal Impact which resulted in a contract termination.

Without a doubt, Kizza is a tried and proven player who has a lot of potential and deserves yet another chance on the professional stage.

Going back to Arouca FC means the two have ironed out the challenges that led to the earlier breakout hence having a better sight at things this time round.

The transfer gives Kizza a chance to regain his fitness level and confidence so that he can make a return to Uganda Cranes’ ranks.

URA FC is back in the market and have unveiled stricker Ivan Ahimbisibwe.

The goal-hunter joins the Tax Collectors from the Bombo-based side, UPDF FC.

The announcement was posted on the club’s official website on Wednesday, August 23, 2023.

Ahimbisibwe has been awarded a two-year employment contract that will keep him at the club until 2025.

“URA FC is delighted to announce that Ivan Ahimbisibwe has completed his move to the club,” the statement partly read.

“His goal-scoring abilities will without a doubt be a great impact to the Tax Collectors as we attempt to win Silverware in the upcoming 2023-24 season,” it added.

Ahimbisibwe’s journey

He kickstarted his career at Synergy FC in 2015 and spent there three years.

He later moved to Nyamityobora FC in 2019 where he scored 15 goals in his maiden season.

The forward attracted UPDF’s management thus securing his signature in 2021 where he has been to date.

He lands at the right time when URA FC has an assignment where they are set to play against KCCA FC in the FUFA 8 semifinals.

Ahead of the 2023/24 Uganda Premier League season, teams and players continue to sharpen their tools so as to stage the required show.

During an interview with Wakiso TV, midfielder Titus Ssematimba set his target ahead of the coming season in which he anticipates glory.

“I am looking forward to next season because I want to score many goals as well as assists,” he confidently said.

“I had a fair show last season but I know this one will even be better because I feel more than ready,” added.

“As a team, we are doing well and the preparations are already underway. We only have to believe in our coaches so that we play as instructed. They have already done a good job to prepare us so our assignment is to deliver.”

Ssematimba revealed that the greatest stumbling block to his progress has been injuries which he prays for each and every other day.

“The greatest challenge I have faced is injuries that have kept me in and out thus limiting my playing time. I pray God gives me good health so that I can find my rhythm.”

Wakiso Giants finished in the eighth position last season with 36 points gathered from 28 games.

The campaign has not started on the best of notes having suffered two losses in two games played. In the ongoing FUFA Super 8, they first fell to KCCA FC before Bright Stars edged them.

Crested Cranes forward Ashiat Naluggwa has completed a transfer move to Lindsey Wilson College in the USA.

Naluggwa joins the USA side from FUFA Super Women League side Uganda Christian University (UCU) Lady Cardinals.

The announcement was made via the UCU Lady Cardinals social handles on Tuesday, August 22, 2023.

“A special farewell to Ashiat Naluggwa who has joined Lindsey Wilson College,” the statement partly read.

“Thank you for everything during your time with the Lady Cardinals and best of luck for your next chapter, Ashiat,” it concluded.

Naluggwa has been a student at Uganda Christian University pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Finance.

Last season she was third on the list of the league’s top scorers with 10 goals.

At Lindsey Wilson College, she will join her former teammate Sharon Nadunga who has spent two weeks at the College.

• CAF Champions League Qualifiers | Results
• Kampala Queens 6-1 FAD FC

Fazila Ikwaput scored five as Kampala Queens registered a 6-1 victory against FAD in the CAF Champions League zonal qualifiers at FUFA Technical Centre, Njeru on Monday.

The National Women champions Kampala Queens returned to winning ways after playing to a one-all draw against CBE FC in the previous game.

Six minutes into the game, Ikwaput got her name onto the scoring sheet to open the scoring party at Njeru.

Kampala’s shirt-nine completed a brace through a thunderous free-kick before she sealed her second hat trick of the tournament in the 21st minute of the game.

The Queens of Soccer continued to enjoy the evening with a brilliant display as they pegged FAD’s defence back.

Eight minutes into the second stanza, Rahma Moustapha Aden found her side a consolation goal to try and give FAD hope going forward.

But Elizabeth Nakigozi regained Kampala Queens’ three-goal lead as he finished from a well-crafted team attack.

Ikwaput later added two goals to complete her quinary and also send her name on top of the goal scorers’ sheet of the tournament.

CAF Champions League Qualifiers | Results

• Buja Queens 1-0 Yei Queens

• Kampala Queens 6-1 FAD FC

Buja Queens edged Yei Joint Stars in a 1-0 victory to enlighten their route to the semi-finals of the CAF Champions League zonal qualifiers at FUFA Technical Centre, Njeru on Monday.

Asha Jafari’s goal was the only difference between the two sides that were on a hunt for a victory to make it six points.

Buja Queens looked the better side from the time the centre referee kickstarted the game but Yei Joint seemed a hard rock to break.

In the 35^th minute, Buja nearly took the lead through Teopista Situma after she went past her marker and tried to curl the ball home in fashion but her effort went wide by inches.

As the first stanza was looming, Jeska Simaya set up Jafari who released a hard shot into the roof of the net and place her side in the driving seat.

Yei Joint Stars nearly equalised through Justine Kirega after meeting Mary Dawa’s long pass but the resultant shot hit the frame before it went out.

With two minutes to the end of the game, Situma’s effort bounced off the bar before Yei Joint Stars cleared their line.

The victory ensured Buja Queens go to six points one behind Kampala Queens who have played all their games now.

In the next game, Buja will play FAD FC in their last group game. This one will be an easy test for the Burundian side FAD FC has lost all its games.

Former KCCA custodian Ali Mwirusi has been officially unveiled by Spanish side Villajoyasa Sports Club.

The youthful goalkeeper has been awarded a year-long employment contract keeping him at the club until 2024.

Mwirusi is a graduate of KCCA Soccer Academy. He has risen through the rank and one for the future due to his craft while safeguarding his goal area.

He faced stiff competition while at MTN Omondi Stadium and this denied him enough playing time to prove his worth.

He was invited to Villajoyosa SC for trials together with the defender Simon Baligeya and he staged a stunning performance hence giving him a chance.

While at Villajoyosa, he will be playing with another Ugandan in George Isiagi in Spain.

Villajoyosa is a club based in Villa Joisa town, Valencia City. It was established back in 1942.

CAF Champions League | Results

• Jwaneng Galaxy 2-0 Vipers SC

Vipers SC fell at the hands of Jwaneng Galaxy in a 2-0 loss during the first leg of the CAF Champions League Preliminary round at Laobatse Sports Complex on Sunday.

Thabang Sesinyi scored in either half of the game as the Botswana side took the first huge slice of the cake.

After the loss on the road, Vipers head coach Leonard Neiva Martins admitted that his side was not good enough to match Jwaneng Galaxy’s level.

“We were not good enough today (Sunday). But we can still overturn the result at home,” Neiva said shortly after the final whistle.

“It was a very good game and hard for both sides. We started on the back foot, they attacked us from the onset and we were set but it’s not an excuse they deserved the win. Galaxy was an organised team and I congratulate them,” he added.

However, the Brazilian tactician asserted that the game is still open in that if they work hard it will be a different story in the second leg.

“If Galaxy managed to score two goals at their home then we can also score in Uganda and move into the next round. We have to work hard so that we fix the mistakes.”

“I cannot criticise the attitude because they were trying, but it’s the way we tried that was not good enough to provide a victory,” he concluded.

The two sides will be meeting on Saturday, August 26, 2023 at the St Mary’s Stadium Kitende and the aggregate winner will play the victor among the Djabal FC and Orlando Pirates.

MTN Busoga Masaza | Results

• Bunhole Bunanumba 0-2 Bukooli Namayingo

Bukooli Namayingo registered a 2-0 victory against Bukooli Namayingo in the MTN Busoga Masaza opening game on Sunday.

Iduma Odenga and Levis Barasa were on target to ensure Bukooli Namayingo take home maximum points.

Like it’s the norm in the Busoga Region, the turn up was huge as the highly attended tournament got underway.

In the 18th minute, Odega nodded home after being set up by Talyaka Reagan in a well weighed cross hence getting the fans on the feet.

Bunhole Bunanumba threw bodies upfront in search of a leveller but the opposite side was firm and strong to suck in the pressure.

As the the end to the first stanza was looming, Bukoli Namayingo came so close through Talyaka but the custodian of Bunhole was attentive on the job.

The second half had limited action as the pace gradually fell not until the last minutes of the game when it got heated up.

In added time, Barasa doubled the lead with yet another powerful header to add salt into Buhole’s wounds.

At full time it was the boys in black that we’re chanting before their fans got onto the pitch to join the celebrations.

CAF Champions League
Sunday, August 20, 2023

Jwaneng Galaxy FC vs Vipers SC

Vipers SC seek a perfect start as they embark on the journey into the group stages of the CAF Champions League group staff.

Botswana’s Jwaneng Galaxy will be their challengers and the two sides lock horns at Lobatse Sports Complex, Botswana on Sunday.

Leonard Neiva, Vipers SC head coach revealed that the team has prepared well and they are ready to hit the road and get going.

“I believe in our capacity and preparations as a team. I believe we can surprise Jwaneng Galaxy,“ Neiva said during the pre-match press conference.

“We are here to win the game. That is why we are going to give it our best so that we can achieve,” the tactician added.

“They (Jwaneng) have had a good run in the CAF Champions League and three or four years ago they beat Tanzania’s Simba SC.”

“Our target is about the game and after that, we are going to organise the team for the next week’s return leg as we look forward to the final round,” he concluded.

It will be the first time the two sides face each other and the aggregate winner between the two will face either Djabal FC or Orlando Pirates.