• Tuesday, May 30
• Uganda Cup | Semifinals 
• Bright Stars vs Vipers SC

Vipers SC head coach Alex Isabirye has warned his troops against complacency as they play the second leg of the Uganda Cup semifinals.

The Venoms will be on the road to play against Bright Stars at Kavumba Recreational Grounds today.

The first leg ended in favour of Isabirye’s charges with a 4-0 victory at St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende but the gaffer says it’s not yet done and they can not take the game for granted.

“We are playing against Bright Stars and the game will not be easy because we lost at their home in the league,” Isabirye told Vipers media ahead of the clash.

“We have just won the league and the players have been celebrating but am happy I work with professionals who know how much we need to win today’s game,” he added.

For Bright Stars to get a ticket to the finals, then they have to beat last year’s finalists 5-0 which is a huge mountain to climb for Asaph Mwebaze’s side.

“We are going to try our best to see that win the game because that has always been my dream and target. I am glad we go to this game with less pressure and I know it will help the players put up a good show.”

“The celebrations are done so all our focus lies on today’s game because we want to play the finals and win the Uganda Cup as well,” he concluded.

Vipers SC lost 3-1 to BUL in last year’s Uganda Cup finals. However, this year gives them a chance to complete a double that has always been the club’s long-awaited achievement.

Uganda Cranes head coach Sredojevic Milutin has revealed that he expects high competition among the members of the provisional squad ahead of final selection.

The Cranes are set to play against the Eastern Region Select team at Irundu Township Primary School playground on Tuesday, May 30.

The practice game will act as a platform for players to compete and prove to Micho that they deserve a place in the final 25-man sheet to play Algeria in the ongoing AFCON qualifiers.

“This is the first trial game and the players have got to buy their tickets to Cameroon,” Micho highlighted after the final training session ahead of the game.

“We have only 25 slots for the final team that will play a friendly with DRC (Democratic Republic of Congo) before they take on Algeria in the qualifiers,” he added.

“All our minds and attention are directed to the games ahead because they are very crucial. We have time to prepare and it should be utilized to its best capacity.”

“Since the league has just come to an end, the players are fatigued mentally and physically however since it’s an assignment to represent the country then I expect them to stretch beyond their comfort and fight for places in the team.”

In the game against the Eastern Region Select, Micho will miss the services of players from Bright Stars and Vipers who will be playing their second leg of the Uganda Cup semifinals.

The Cranes will later play Algeria on Sunday, June 18 in the AFCON qualifiers in Douala City Cameroon.

Uganda Cranes defender Bevis Mugabi was the centre of attraction in several moments of Motherwell’s comeback 3-2 victory over Dundee United in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday.

Mugabi was making his 13th appearance and straight away he was in the thick of controversy when he failed to deal with a long ball over the top in the first half.

VAR Willie Collum advised referee Steven McLean to go to the monitor, and a quick check showed the ball had struck Mugabi’s arm as he challenged for the ball.

Jamie McGrath dispatched the penalty to level the game after Motherwell had gone ahead with Van Veen rounding the United goalkeeper.

Blair Spittal’s low drive drew Motherwell level before Max Johnston’s powerful header ensured Motherwell ended the season with a win.

However, Mugabi may have found himself on the scoresheet had it not been a superb save by Jack Newman who prevented the Ugandan’s point-blank header from finding the net.

KCCA FC interim head coach Jackson Mayanja has revealed that he is open to being replaced at the Uganda Premier League club after failing to claim the trophy on the final day of the season.

The tactician was in charge of his last game as per the announcement that he was to be at the helm of the Lugogo-based side till the end of the season.

After a 5-0 stunning victory past Bright Stars, the Kasasiro Boys still missed out on the trophy due to Vipers’ superior goal difference even after going level on points.

In an interview with the press after the final whistle, Mayanja revealed he would welcome the idea of being replaced in the dugout.

“I have no problem if the club is to replace me with another coach going forward,” he said.

“Yes, the club might decide and bring another coach which is fine. I am a KCCA fan and will always be. I am a son here and I will forever term the club as home,” he added.

“There is also a possibility that I can leave Lugogo and get a bigger job elsewhere. In most cases as a coach, it is hard to tell your next destiny.”

However, he also agreed that if trusted with the mantle to take the club forward, then he would surely take on the assignment.

“If am given the job then that’s good as well and I am always ready to serve my club. As a professional coach, you should be ready to take on each and every task that comes your way.”

KCCA FC finished second on the log with 52 points after playing 28 games in the 2022/23 Uganda Premier League campaign.

SundayMay 28, 2023

FUFA Women’s Cup Semifinals 

• Asubo Gafford 2-1 She Maroons (Agg: 3-2)
• Kawempe Muslim 0-0 Uganda Martyrs (Agg: 1-0)

Uganda Martyrs Ladies Football Club and She Maroons are set to lock horns in this year’s FUFA Women’s Cup final that will happen on Sunday, June 10.

FUFA Elite league side, She Maroons went past Asubo Gafford Ladies to seal off a spot in the final game of the tournament.

In a game played at Kanpala Quality, She Maroons fell to Asubo Gafford in a 2-1 loss but advanced to the finals on aggregate 3-2 after a 2-0 win in the first leg.

Zaitun Namaganda and Kamiyati Naigaga found the back of the net for the home side as Lillian Kasubo pulled back one from the 12-yard mark to keep the female Prison Wardens in the front.

In the second game of the semifinals lineup, Uganda Martyrs and Kawempe Muslim fired blanks.

This was the second leg, after Uganda Martyrs had registered a narrow 1-0 win against the Valley Warriors in the first leg in Lubaga.

The two sides will face off in the anticipated duel in Kumi come next month.

 

Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Denis Onyango feels Pitso Mosimane should be credited for bringing in hard work and changing Mamelodi Sundowns.

Onyango celebrated his 10th league title in the Premier Soccer League, to become the most decorated player in South Africa.

The former Uganda skipper was present as Mosimane developed the championship-winning machine and while speaking to iDiski Times he said Mosimane made everyone earn their place in the team.

“I think that turning point was the fact that Pitso installed the iron heart in the team. No one would play without working hard and you had to earn your place in the team,” Onyango told iDiski Times.

“They were not looking at faces, how much you’re earning and what kind of a car you are driving or who you are. It was all about hard work and fighting for the team because the quality was too much at Sundowns”

“There was also the likes of Elias Pelembe, the Cheeseboy Mokoenas, the Punch Masenamelas. If you are not a team and someone has to use his iron hand to make sure that the team performs, that’s the only way we could get results.

“Otherwise everyone would play for himself and become selfish. Pitso made sure that everyone earned their place in the starting line-up.”

Mosimane became the manager of Mamelodi Sundowns in 2012, months after Onyango had joined.

He went on to win five ABSA Premiership titles before resigning in late September 2020. Pitso has since coached Egyptian side Al Ahly and currently Saudi Arabian club Al-Ahli Jeddah.

Saturday, May 27,2 2023

• KCCA FC 5-0 Bright Stars

KCCA FC ended the season on high with a five-star performance but were short of the glory by goal difference.

The Kasasiro Boys registered a 5-0 victory against Bright Stars in their final game of the Uganda Premier League at MTN Omondi Stadium.

KCCA FC levelled points with rivals Vipers SC Villa on 53 points but had a 19-goal difference while the latter had a superior edge of 27.

It was a tight first stanza, as the two sides fired blanks before the home side got fired up in the second half.

Two minutes into the second stanza, Rogers Mato tapped in from close range to give the boys in yellow an advantage.

Seven minutes later, Lwanga Charles controlled a low cross from close range before he slotted it into the back of the net.

At the hour mark, Mato registered a personal brace to ignite the home side that was on a goal hunt.

With three minutes to the final minute, Mato completed a hat trick before he scored his fourth to seal off his best performance of the season.

Jackson Mayanja’s troops put up a tremendous show but it could only earn them a second position on the 15-teamed log.

Police FC head coach Angelo Lonyesi credits Adjumani Town Council for the great spirit exhibited in the second leg against his side.

Adjumani TC registered a 2-1 victory against the Cops in the second leg of the Uganda Cup semifinals in the game played at Paridi Stadium on Friday evening.

“This is the toughest game we have played in this year’s Uganda Cup,” Lonyesi told the press after the final whistle of the game.

“Even BUL did not give us a hard time like today’s game. Actually Adjumani put up a sprinted fight and if they played like this in the first then by now we would be out,” he added.

Police managed to take the first-leg advantage with a 1-0 victory and thus helping them advance to finals on away goals rule.

Samuel Kayongo gave the Cops a lead at the stroke of the first stanza. However, they could not hold on to keep the lead in the second half.

Seven minutes into the second half, Basani Safi restored parity from the spot before Sadiq Nasoor gave the home side the lead through a stunning shot from a rebound.

“Actually I didn’t understand where the penalty came from. So we conceded the equaliser from the spot before the other coming from a defensive error. So we accept we lost but atleast we are going to the next stage.”

“This is our chance to win this trophy. We shall come for the final game calmly knowing what we want. They (Vipers SC) will undermine us but we are ready for the challenge,” he concluded.

The finals will be played on Saturday June 3 at Akii Bua Stadium in Lira.

Saturday, May 27, 2023

• Vipers SC 5-0 Busoga United
• KCCA FC 5-0 Bright Stars
• SC Villa 0-1 URA FC

Viper SC defended the Uganda Premier League for the first time in style.

The Venoms were announced champions of the 2022/23 campaign on the final day thanks to goal difference.

On the final day of the league, Vipers ran riot over Busoga United FC in a 5-0 victory at St Mary’s Stadium on Saturday evening.

Vipers SC came into the match sitting second on the log with 50 points, two shy of log leaders (by then).

However, the Tax Collectors did the ugly work, for now, the champions after defeating SC Villa 1-0 at Muteesa II Stadium, Wankulukuku.

In the 15th minute, Abubaker Lawal placed the hosts ahead after a mix-up in Busoga’s defence and custodian John Okutut.

Seven minutes later, Yunus Sentamu doubled the lead with a diamond hit to set the crowd ablaze as the party kicked on.

At the top of the hour, the Nigerian forward Lawal completed a personal brace with a header from close range after being set up by Ashraf Mandela.

Two minutes later, Martin Kiza made it four before Bright Anukani hit the last nail in Busoga United’s coffin.

• Friday, May 26
• Adjumani TC 2(2)-1(2) Police

Police Football Club squeezed through to advance to the finals of the Uganda Cup even after falling to Adjumani Town Council on the road.

In a game played at Paridi Stadium, Police lost to Adjumani TC 2-1 in a thrilling encounter as the two sides fought for a spot in the finals.

Sadiq Nasoor and Basani Safi scored for the home side while Samuel Kayongo found the only but all-important goal for the Cops in the tight duel.

The Cops came into this game with a first-leg advantage of a narrow 1-0 win registered at their home at Kavumba Recreational Ground.

The visitors kicked off with the right rhythm to ensure they take command of the game.

The Cops came close after Joseph Sentume guided Jackson Ssemugabi’s corner narrowly wide after beating a number of bodies in the box.

The home side respond but custodian Davis Mutebi pulled off a stunning finger-tip save to matters at bay.

With a minute to play in the first stanza, Kayongo was in the right place to tap home Denis Kalanzi’s well-delivered cross to place the visitors in the driving seat.

Seven minutes into the second stanza, Adjumani received a penalty and Basani calmly scored from the spot to level matters.

Moments later, Police’s goalkeeping coach Faisal Kanene received matching orders for his discontent with what he termed as a controversial call from the centre referee.

Three minutes past an hour mark, Nasoor gave the home side a lead that light-up the home crowd.

Angelo Lonyesi made a double change later on introducing Abdulnoor Nsereko and Reagan Male but the score kept intact till the final whistle of the game.

This will be Police’s third Uganda Cup final after qualifying for that in the years 2000 and 2003 though they lost both.

Police will wait to play the winner between Vipers SC and Bright Stars after the climax of the two-legged show.

Though Vipers have an edge after registering a whopping 4-0 victory in the first leg.