FUFA Drum 2023

Sunday July 23, 2023

• Busoga Province 4-1 West Nile

• Bunyoro Province 1-1 Tooro Pronvice

Busoga Province registered a 4-1 victory against West Nile in the FUFA Drum group stages at Kamuli Vocational Institute on Sunday.

Charles Ayeikoh’s charges gave a beating to the defending champions in Group C of the continuous championship.

In the first minute of the game, Shaban Muhamad found the back of the net to silence the home big crowd right at the start of the duel.

Twelve minutes later, Jerome Kirya needed no other chance to level matters hence regaining life in the game. The goal sparked off the fans who were fully ignited for the job.

The home side kept piling pressure onto the visitors with the backing off the fully packed stadium but at the end of the first half, the scoreboard read 1-1.

Two minutes after recess, Isaac Wagoina gave Busoga Province a well-deserved lead to give the second stanza the required pace to kick start.

In the 50th minute, Laban Tibita’s hard work and trickery in the middle park paid off as he extended the home side’s lead.

With four minutes to the end of the game, Ibrahim Mugulusi scored the fourth for Busoga to put the icing on the cake.

The thrilling form of Busoga continues and it remains to see who will stop the boys from the east.

How they lined up

Busoga Province: Didi Muhammad (Gk), Ibrahim Kazindula, Derrick Basoga, Bakari Magumba, Isaac Isinde, Pascal Ngobi, Jerome Kirya, Daniel Shabena, Yunus Sibira, Isaac Wagoina, Laban Tibita

West Nile Province: Rodgers Omedwa (Gk), Geriga Atendele, Rashid Okocha, Bright Vuni, Rashid Toha, Rashid Yakin, Alfred Leku, William Gama, Muhammad Shaban, Rashid Abdulai Rashid

Defender Gift Fred finally debuted at his new side Young Africans and impressed the green and yellow army.

The lanky centre back started on the bench as Young Africans faced South Africa’s Kaizer Chiefs in a friendly game at Benjamin Mpaka Stadium on Saturday.

As the end of the first stanza was looming, pacy forward Kennedy Musonda emphatically guided the ball past veteran custodian Itumeleng Khune to register the only game in the duel hence giving Yanga the deserved victory.

At the start of the second stanza, Gift Fred walked onto the pitch to also have a feel of the game.

As usual, SC Villa’s former captain proved his worth as he jumped highest to win aerial duels and exhibited his immense comfort on the ball at all times.

The grand reception

Gift Fred was introduced to the Young Africans fans and he received welcoming applause from the fans in a fully parked stadium.

It was a walk of fame as he waved to the fans in excitement. It was a thrilling experience for a player who has risen through the ranks to reach this stage.

Donning a yellow jersey and number 37 printed on his back, the defender witnessed a moment he will live to remember.

Dissan Galiwango has finally returned to Uganda Premier League Express Football Club.

Galiwango left Express FC in 2020 after a thrilling season and having captained the side for two seasons.

After a controversial move to St Mary’s Kitende, Galiwango will be making an emotional return to Wankulukuku to try and regain his spark.

According to Swift Sports, the roving left back is set to sign a two-year-employment that will see him at the club until 2025.

Galiwango was recently released by Vipers SC after he failed to beat the competition from Isa Mubiru with whom they play the same role.

He only managed to play 406 minutes in the league which is below par for a player of his calibre and stature.

In the three seasons spent at Kitende, he only managed to play 51 games which is a disappointing and pale report by Galiwango.

Asaph Mwebaze and Uganda Premier League side Bright Stars have parted ways according to media reports.

Before the start of the 2022/23 campaign, Bright Stars announced that they had signed Asaph Mwebaze on a three-year-employment contract.

By the look of things, the marriage of the two is down in shambles just after a year of the union.

Mwebaze replaced Paul Kiwanuka who left the role after his interim stay at the club had run down.

While at Bright Stars, Mwebaze started on roughly a fair note as the side spent a while without a win or a loss before they gained their mojo on the course later on.

They finished ninth on the log at the end of the season with 35 points. They managed to win nine games, drew eight and lost 11 across the journey.

Bright Stars also lost to Vipers SC in the semifinals of the Uganda Cup, hence missing out on a spot in the race’s final lap.

Al-Ittihad Club has released Ugandan footballer Gavin Kizito through contract termination.

The decision was announced through an official statement released by Al-Ittihad Alexandria.

The board of directors terminated the contract following the “technical vision” of the staff led by former Simba coach Zoran Manojlovic.

“The Board of Directors of Al-Ittihad Club of Alexandria completed the procedures for termination and termination of the contract with the Ugandan player Gavin Kizito,” part of the statement read before adding.

“Kizito joined the ranks of the leader of the gap at the beginning of this season, and following the technical vision of the technical staff led by the Serbian Zoran, the contract with the player was terminated by mutual consent.”

Kizito signed a two-year contract with the Egyptian side last year and remained with over 14 months.

Kizito has featured for the senior men’s national team in the Afcon 2023 Qualification games but also captained the Uganda U-20 team.

Vipers Sports Club continue to bolster their squad ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.

The Uganda Premier League champions are considering to an option of acquiring roving right back Grant Matsiko from Wakiso Giants.

Last season, Matsiko was arguably the best right back balancing his attacking and defending powress hence making him exceptional.

In the Uganda Premier League, he made two assists and he was also reliable playing 22 games of the 28 possible outings.

Since switching camps from Kigezi Homeboyz, Matsiko has progressed gradually and its evident that he has gained alot of experience since making his league debut in 2021.

If the deal materialises, it will be in place to come in for Enock Walusimbi whose deal collapse at the 12th hour after the two camps failed to agree on fees.

Vipers has already announced the signings of Giancarlo Lopez Rodriguez, Richard Matovu, David Bagole and Luiz Otavio Santos de Araujo.

The latest arrival at St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende is Brazillian gaffer Leonard Neiva to replace Alex Isabirye who decided to go through the back door.

FUFA Big League side Police has shown their coaching staff the exit door.

Angelo Lonyesi, David Yiga and Faisal Kanene who were the head coach, assistant coach and goal keepers respectively have been relived of their roles.

“We can officially confirm dissolving our coaching staff that has ASP Angelo Lonyesi, Sgt David Yiga and goalkeepers’ coach SPC Faisal Kanene,” a statement partly read.

“With their devoted hearts, the Cops came short of top flight return finishing fourth and runners up in Uganda Cup. We appreciate the out going technical team for its tireless efforts,” it added.

“We wish them well in their next endevours. Going forward, the outgoing team will be re-assigned other responsibilities since they still serve as active Police officers,” it concluded.

The Cops staged a fair show in the just concluded 2022/23 campaign, they finished fourth on the Big League log and lost to Vipers SC on the Uganda Cup finals.

It will be the second time Lonyesi is relieved from the head coach role.

Reports indicate Simon Peter Mugerwa is assumed to be the next boss at the Kibuli based side.

Uganda Premier League side URA FC has confirmed Ibrahim Wammanah as their sixth signing in the ongoing transfer window.

The Proline Academy graduate joins the Tax Collectors as a free agent after his contract at UPDF FC run down and he chose not to renew the marriage.

He has signed a two-year employment contract that will keep him at URA FC until 2025.

While speaking to URA FC media team, the midfielder revealed the transfer will help him grow as a player.

“It’s a big move to me and in my career because it will help me develop as a player,” he was quoted by the club’s official website.

“It’s a big privilege to join URA FC because it’s a big team and when such an opportunity comes you have to take it up. I want to help the club win silverware in my first season,” he added.

Wammanah brings leadership at URA since he has been UPDF’s captain. He also adds mobility, combativeness, composure, passing intelligence and the ability to break an opponent’s play.

He joins Denis Luzige Kisiriko, John Innocent Kisolo, Amis Bwangani, Godfrey Sekibengo and Moses Aliro.

Uganda Premier League Champions Vipers SC have finally unveiled Brazilian tactician Leonard Martins Neiva as their new head coach.

Leo Neiva replaces Alex Isabirye who departed from the Kitende shortly after scooping a domestic double, a first of a kind to be lifted by the Venoms.

The gaffer is not new at East Africa having won the Super Cup and the League Cup with Tanzania’s Young African in the 2014/15 season.

While speaking to the Vipers’ media he revealed his plans of creating a playing style and culture.

“I look forward to developing a team and culture that our amazing fans can be proud of,” Neiva was quoted by the club’s official website.

“I am incredibly proud and excited to represent Vipers SC interests. This is a fantastic club and I am excited to be here and look forward to meeting and working with an exciting group of players,” he added.

He becomes the third Brazilian to take up the coaching role at Vipers. Before him came Roberto Oliveira and Beto Bianchi Pellister whose stay was not much loved by the Venoms.

A true journey-man

Neiva’s journey got underway in 2007 as he was named at America CF in Rio de Janeiro as the assistant head coach.

In the 2008-2009 season, he moved onto the African soil and his first assignment was at South Africa’s Platinum Stars as an academy coach.

He later returned to Brazil at Bonsucesso-RJ before he took on the mantle as head coach of Yadanarborn FC.

In the 2011-12 season, he was named head coach of Rakhine United in Myanmar before he returned to Brazil at Associacao Atletica Francana.

Neiva, in 2014, moved to Young Africans before he moved to Jamaica’s Montego Bay United in 2016.

In 2019, he once again returned to Brazil at Clube Atletico Itapemirim for a year before he was named head coach of the Saint Kitts and Nevis national team.

His most recent appointment was with the Al-Merrikh where he was sacked after 51 days before managing a single competitive game.

Leonard Martins Neiva’s Journey

2007: América (Assistant)
2008-2009: Platinum Stars F.C. (Youth)
2010: Bonsucesso
2010-2011: Yadanarbon F.C. (Youth)
2011/2012: Rakhine United FC
2013: Associação Atlética Francana
2014/2015: Young Africans SC
2015/2016: Montego Bay United
2016/2017: Yadanarbon F.C.
2017: Thai Honda F.C.
2019/2020: Clube Atlético Itapemirim
2021: Saint Kitts and Nevis
2021/2022: Al-Merrikh SC

Uganda Premier League URA FC have finally unveiled Moses Aliro as their fifth signing of the ongoing transfer season.

Aliro joins Denis Kisiriko Luzige, John Kisolo Innocent, Amis Bwagani and Godfrey Sekibengo as the latest addition to the Tax Collectors’ camp.

The development was brought to the public via the club’s official website on Wednesday, July 19, 2023.

“It’s official, Moses Aliro Okabo is the latest Tax Collector in the house,” the statement partly read.

“The versatile player joins the club as a free agent from Wakiso Giants FC on a two-year employment contract,” it added.

Speaking to URA FC media, Aliro revealed that he hopes they win and achieve many positives together.

“I believe we can together achieve. Personally, I want to help the club win the league and score goals,” he said.

“I want to help the club achieve a lot. I thank the management of the club for the trust they have put in me and I can only pay them back with good performance.”

Aliro’s presence will extend a high level of versatility to the squad since he is capable of playing in the midfield, upfront as well as in the backline.