As Uganda Cranes prepare to take Algeria in the AFCON 2023 Qualifiers, we take a look at the quick profile of the players who will be representing the country.

We take a look at attacking midfielder Farouk Miya.

Miya started his club career at Vipers Sports Club in 2013 before going pro to Belgian side  Standard Liège three years later in one of the biggest transfers from Uganda. He would later be loaned to Royal Excel Mouscron and Sabail FK before moving to Croatian side HNK Gorica and later to Turkey starting at Konyaspor Kulübü.

Miya made his debut for Uganda Cranes on 11th July 2014 against Seychelles in a friendly at the MTN Omondi Stadium, a match Cranes won 1-0 courtesy of his debut goal.

He has gone on to score 23 goals (16 in official competitions) in national colours but his most famous was at Mandela National Stadium in Namboole in the 1-0 win over Comoros on 4th September 2016 that ensured Uganda Cranes qualify for AFCON 2017.

During AFCON 2017, he also netted against Mali in a 1-1 draw.

Miya assisted Rogers Mato’s winner against Tanzania this very AFCON 2023 Qualifiers campaign after coming on as a substitute in added time at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium in Dar es Salam.

Quick Profile

• Full Name: Farouk Miya
• Date of Birth: 26th November 1997
• Place of Birth: Bulo
• Position: Attacking Midfielder
• Club: Çaykur Rizespor
• Uganda Cranes Goals: 23 (16 Official)

You can follow the game between Algeria and Uganda Cranes on FUFA TV or attend the viewing party at the Old and New Taxi Park on Sunday, 18th June starting at 3:00 pm.

As Uganda Cranes prepare to take Algeria in the AFCON 2023 Qualifiers, we take a look at the quick profile of the players who will be representing the country.

We take a look at winger Milton Karisa.

Karisa started club football at Jinja Municipal Council (JMC) Football Club where he played from 2011 to 2013, then join Bul FC from 2013 to 2016, and is currently at Vipers Sports Club.

The winger had a short pro stint with Moroccan side Mouloudia Club of Oujda (MC Oujda) before returning to Vipers at the start of 2020.

Karisa made his Uganda Cranes debut in 2017 against Kenya Harambe Stars during a friendly game at Machakos Stadium that ended in a one-all draw.

He scored the first of his five goals for the Cranes later in 2017 during the 2018 World Cup Qualifiers match against Congo Brazzaville that ended in a one-all draw.

His most recent goal was scored against Senegal during the African Nations Champions (CHAN) on 18th January 2023, a match Uganda Cranes won 1-0. It’s also the day MTN Uganda announced their return as Uganda Cranes’ premier sponsor.

At the start of this very AFCON 2023 Qualifiers campaign on 8th June 2022, Karisa was on target against Niger in the one-all draw at St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende.

During this AFCON 2023 Qualifiers campaign, he has featured in two games. The other was against Algeria in Algiers where the Cranes lost 2-0.

Quick Profile

• Full Name: Milton Karisa
• Date of Birth: 27th July 1995 
• Place of Birth: Jinja
• Position: Winger
• Club: Vipers SC
• Uganda Cranes Goals: 5

You can follow the game between Algeria and Uganda Cranes on FUFA TV or attend the viewing party at the Old and New Taxi Park on Sunday, 18th June starting at 3:00 pm.

Coach Brian Ssenyondo has stepped down from the coaching role at Uganda Premier League side UPDF FC.

Ssenyondo joined the Army side switching from Mbarara City in 2021 and reports indicate he is on his way to Kampala Queens.

The gaffer confirmed the development on Wednesday, June 14 through a statement.

“Dear UPDF, please accept this letter as my formal resignation from my position as a head coach of UPDF FC effective from today July 14, 2023,” the statement partly read.

“I appreciate the opportunity for growth and development you have provided during my tenure. Thank you for your guidance and support,” it added.

“Please let me know how I can help during the transition period. I wish you and the UPDF FC family the very best in going forward,” it concluded.

The former Synergy tactician is expected to be unveiled at Kampala Queens as the head coach and he will be deputised by former Uganda Cranes midfielder Tonny Mawejje.

This comes after the FUFA Women Super League champions parted ways with Hamza Lutalo (head coach), Kato Alimiya (assistant coach), and goalkeeping coach Solomon Mbowa.

The Queens of Soccer will represent the nation in the CAF Women’s Champions League Zonal Qualifiers that are set to kick off in August later this year.

Shakira Nyinagahirwa, the FUFA Women Super League (FWSL) Most Valuable Player (MVP), has joined Kampala Queens on a short-term loan deal.

The league champions have sealed the signing of midfielder cum winger from Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC as they continue to strengthen the team ahead of the zonal Champions League qualifiers.

“Kampala Queens FC gladly announces that the club has agreed with Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC for the loan transfer of Shakira Nyinagahirwa,” the club confirmed via its social media platform.

“It is the objective of Kampala Queens to assemble the best football girl talent into a club that will enhance the opportunities of the players to achieve out of their potential,” it added.

Nyinagahirwa confirmed her excitement to join the league champions and she can not wait to get started.

“Kampala Queens here I come. Happy to be part of the team let’s make history together,” she started.

“I am happy to join the great hub of talents that is already at Kampala Queens. Being the league’s top scorer and MVP am ready to help the club achieve the goal of playing in the CAF Champions League.”

Nyinagahirwa is the captain of the Uganda U18 Women’s national team currently in camp at FUFA Technical Centre, Njeru preparing for the CECAFA U18 Women’s Championship.

The Queens of Soccer have already signed Fazila Ikwaput and are not finished with the transfer business.

SC Villa Vice President Daniel Bakaki has revealed the reason for the changes in the technical team after a fair run in the just concluded 2022-23 campaign.

SC Villa relieved Jackson Magera and Ibrahim Kirya from their coaching role only to be replaced by Serbian tactician Dusan Stojanovic (head coach) and Morley Byekwaso (assistant coach).

However, Bakaki revealed the changes were not because the last season was poor but rather because it’s part of the rebuilding process.

“We are not renewing contracts of the previous technical team, not that they performed poorly but we need progress,” Bakaki said during the unveiling ceremony.

“Last season was challenging because of the manner in which it ended. It gave us something to learn and we needed to take another step in the rebuilding process,” he added.

“We have appointed the Serbian gaffer because we looked at him and released that his African football experience can take us to a greater level.”

According to Bakaki, the new coaching team will be given enough time to build a team and grow a strong and competitive team that can take them back to its glory days.

Confirmation of the executive’s support 

“They (the coaching team) should be sure of the management’s support to see that we achieve the set target as a team.”

“What has failed many clubs is interference from above. We will let the coaches take their decisions, give them support and enough time,” he added.

In other appointments, the club replaced William Nkemba with Isaac Mwesigwa as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

SC Villa’s new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Isaac Mwesigwa has underlined that his new home is the biggest club.

Mwesigwa joins the Jogoo after he run down his employment contract at Express FC where his arm of work yielded positive results.

“There is no bigger club than Villa in the country,” Mwesigwa said during his unveiling at the club’s office in Industrial Area, Kampala.

“I want to thank Villa management for trusting me. This is an exciting and challenging role. There is no bigger club than Villa in this country,” he added.

“With the support from the club and fans, the aim is to build a sustainable SC Villa. We want to be the best in Africa again so we ask for your (fans) support,” he concluded.

While at the Red Eagles’ camp he guided the team to the league title as well as the CECAFA championship.

SC Villa has 16 Uganda Premier League titles and it’s the highest mark within the boundaries of the country.

Their last league title came in 2004. They came so close this season but the fight fell short as they finished the campaign third with only two points away from the summit.

KCCA FC has appointed Portuguese gaffer Sergio Daniel Moniz Traguil as the men’s head coach.

According to the club’s statement, Sergio has put on paper a two-year employment contract that is set to take charge effective Saturday, July 1, 2023.

GAFFER 😎#𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐨 pic.twitter.com/GNYkYUVPzT

— KCCA FC (@KCCAFC) June 12, 2023

Sergio will take the mantle from the club’s legend Jackson Mayanja who was at the helm on an interim basis since Wednesday, April 19, 2023.

“KCCA FC is pleased to announce Sergio Daniel Monzi Traguil as the manager of the men’s senior team on a two-year deal” the statement partly red.

“Sergio, a holder of UEFA A license and currently pursuing a UEFA Pro license takes over from Jackson Maya,” it continued.

“KCCA will benefit greatly from Sergio’s extensive experience, high standard of excellence and a character.”

“He is a successful coach who has worked with a number of different of leagues on the continent but most importantly confirms the club’s DNA of playing,” it concluded.

Sergio started his coaching career at Benfica in charge of of the team’s junior side. He later moved to Kaduna United in Nigera.

He has also coached Hearts of Oak (Ghana), Singida Big Stars (Tanzania), CD Luanda Sul (Angola), Vilankulos (Mozambique), Mirbat SC (Oman), Kabuscorp (Angola), Santa Rita CFC (Angola), and recently Township Rollers FC (Bostwana).

 

The horrific news of Willy Kyambadde’s demise hit the airwaves on Monday, June 12 in the morning.

Reports indicate that Kyambadde slipped and fell down at his home in Kawempe during the wee hours of Monday morning.

The sad news of Kyambadde’s passing has left the football fraternity shocked and cold due to the passing of the ex-international and legend.

And many have expressed their grief via media channels by sending messages of condolences towards the former Express and KCCA midfielder.

“It is with great sadness that we have learned of the passing of our former player. Jamil Willy Kyambadde. We send our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends during these trying times,” KCCA FC wrote on its official Twitter page.

“Rest in peace former KCCA FC and Uganda Cranes midfielder Willy Kyambadde aka Jamil,” Re-known sports journalist Hassan Badru Zziwa posted on Twitter.

“Rest in peace Jamil Willy Kyambadde. He featured for KCCA, Express, Bright Stars and Proline. He also had a stint in Vietnam where he was nicknamed ‘Black Maradona’. His goals for Cranes against the Kobs in the 2000 CECAFA final at Nakivubo will always stands out for me,” Sports journalist Clive Kyazze revealed.

“Jamil Kyambadde retires from life. He was magical with his left foot. While in primary school, I wrote to my dad to pick me up from school and go watch a super league match but in particular, I told Mzee I want to watch Kyambadde! RIP Black Maradona,” Kawowo Sports reporter posted.

Willy Kyambadde’s career 

He hit the scene in 1995 when he switched camps from Arua Young to Express FC.

He later joined KCCA FC in 2000 before returning to the Red Eagles in 2002.

He also went onto the professional scene in Vietnam, playing for Dongtan Long An in 2004.

He also joined Jomo Cosmos before he played for Proline and hang boots with Bright Stars FC in 2012.

We continue to pray for the family and football fraternity to see them through this time of trial!!!

 

• Sunday, June 11 | FUFA TV Cup
• St Mary’s College Kisubi 2-0 Kings College Budo

St Mary’s College Kisubi easily went past Kings College Budo in a one-sided affair that was fully controlled by the hosts.

SMACK picked a well-deserved 2-0 win against Kings College in the second game of Group A of the FUFA TV Cup at Kisubi grounds on Sunday evening.

The home side had several chances but was not lethal enough to bury more than the only two goals scored.

They managed to score a goal in either half of the game thanks to Mahad Mubiru and Griffin Mwesigwa’s strikes respectively.

The skipper Mubiru swiftly tapped home to give Kisubi the lead and sent the crowds on their feet in jubilation.

Five minutes after the break Mwesigwa doubled the hosts’ lead with a calm finish to create a wider edge.

In the 61st minute, Benjamin Mukisa went through a forest of bodies before he released a powerful shot but it sailed just inches wide of the frame.

Thirteen minutes later, Budo’s custodian Woodrow Were’s custodian fumbled with Mubiru’s low effort but Arsene Nababwe’s rebound went above the crossbar.

At the end of the duel, Kisubi bagged three points to go second on the Group A log behind Makerere College School.

How they lined up

St Mary’s College Kisubi XI: Darren Aine (Gk), Mahad Mubiru, Ezra Kadaga, Raymond Atwine, Mark Kazire, Joel Ssekitto, Paul Clovis, Joram Nyanzi, Benjamin Mukasa, Sherlin Tukashaba, Jimmy Ambayo

King’s College Budo XI: Woodrow Were, Elijah Wampamba, Kelly Butenda, David Musoke, Keihura Seith, Marvin Oballim, Kefah Kyaka, Elijah Senoga, Peter Musinguzi, Jimmy Lagon, Phillip Katumwa

Ayub Khalifah Kiyingi has been re-appointed as U-20 Women National Team head coach.

It has been a vacant position for a good time but the FUFA Executive Committee has decided to fill the vacuum and the appointment will take immediate effect.

Before FUFA announced that the position was vacant, Khalifa was the one at the helm of the Women’s U-20 team

The Kawempe Muslim gaffer will work with the goalkeeper trainer Mubarak Kiberu, Felix Ayobo (Fitness coach), Mable Kabatalindwa (Team doctor), and Prossy Nalwadda (Kits woman).

This is the first position among the Women National Team vacant places and according to FUFA, even other appointments will be announced as soon as possible.

The evaluation of the applicants is ongoing for the Head Coach Women’s Senior Team (Crested Cranes), assistant head coach Women’s Senior team, and assistant coach U-17 Women’s team (Teen Cranes).

Upcoming International Games

On Thursday, May 8, Uganda Junior Women Teams learned of their opponents for international engagements.

The Queens Cranes received a bye in the first round of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers.

In the second round, they will play against Mozambique in October. Uganda will host the first leg game will be played between the 6th to 8th and the return leg will be played a week later.

The winner of the two will face the aggregate winner from the clash as Senegal face Benin in the third round.

The route will go till the fifth round where two teams will enter the FIFA World Cup.