Ugandan footballer Edward Kizza has underscored the basics of striking following his success in helping Pittsburg Riverhounds defeat Las Vegas Lights FC at Highmark Stadium in the United Soccer League.

Kizza found the back of the net twice to support his side to back-to-back wins in the USL Championship, also extending the unbeaten streak to six games.

Kizza got onto the scoresheet for the first goal in the 21st minute when forward Langston Blackstock sent a cross in, which Díaz got a hand to, making the ball fall right to Kizza, who tapped it in for the opening goal.

He scored again in the 31st minute to double the lead for the Riverhounds after midfielder Burke Fahling found himself with space and put in a great cross that he headed home.

“As a forward, you always have to work off the ball because most of the time people are going to judge you on the goals you’ve scored,” Kizza said.

“At the end of the day, you have to come back. If you lose possession, you have to come back and defend. So, keep working off the ball, with the ball, always moving.

“Sometimes the goals aren’t going to come, but as long as you’re doing so much for the team to win the game, that’s the biggest thing as a forward.”

Kizza came into the game with no goals in nine games in the USL Championship but came out with two goals in the victory over the Lights.

This is also the second time he’s scored two goals in a game, with his last coming against Birmingham Legion FC in the Eastern Conference Semifinals last October.

Forward Edward Kizza scored a brace as he led the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC to a resounding 4-1 win over the Las Vegas Lights FC at Highmark Stadium on Saturday.

The Riverhounds’ (4-5-2) win’ over the Lights (0-6-4) was their third straight also a back-to-back win in the USL Championship.

The victory also meant they extend their unbeaten streak to six games and was the first time the Riverhounds scored four goals in a game since a 4-1 win over Miami FC in July 2022, also at Highmark Stadium.

Kizza got onto the scoresheet for the first goal in the 21st minute after forward Langston Blackstock sent a cross in, which Díaz got a hand to, making the ball fall right to Kizza, who tapped it in for the opening goal.

The Ugandan later scored again in the 31st minute to double the lead for the Riverhounds. Midfielder Burke Fahling put in a great cross that Kizza ran into in the box and delivered a powerful header.

This was the second time Kizza scored two goals in a game, with his last coming against Birmingham Legion FC in the Eastern Conference Semifinals last October.

On 13 January 2023, Kizza made his move to the Riverhounds permanently following a loan spell for the remainder of the 2022 season at the same club.

St. Henry’s Kitovu (SHACK) which lost in the 2023 USSSA Football finals to St Mary’s Kitende has switched attention to East Africa games.

SHACK suffered a 1-0 narrow loss to Kitende on Saturday, May 22 in a game played at Nyakasura Playground in Fort Portal City of Kabarole District.

It was the first time the Masaka-based side reached the final stage of the gallant school’s football tournament.

SHACK’s head of scouting and recruitment, Godfrey Ssekabira aka Jeff revealed that plans for the East African games are underway after failing to clinch the local title.

“It’s time to look ahead of us that getting frozen in the moment of pain and frustration due to missing out on the gold medal in the finals,” Ssekabira told MTN Sports.

“Our squad is young and still finding chemistry. I do think we deserved more but am glad to say we achieved tremendously and it’s a good foundation going forward,” he added.

After marking 100 years last year, the achievement comes at the right time as the school is under the tutelage of Brother Augustine Magabo.

“We learnt a lot from the tournament. As a growing team, we faced a number of changes but they made us a stronger team. I know in the coming tournaments we shall be a better side.”

“The organisation was superb. The host school did a tremendous job to allow the championship to sail smoothly. The only challenge we got was the officiating which I think can be made better.”

Only Emmanuel Tumusiime, Marvin Belega and Samuel Okullo are the only players in the squad that are in S.6 and will be playing their last tournaments as La Mennais Cup and East Africa games in Huye Rwanda.

Tuesday, May 22, 2023

• Busoga United vs KCC FC
• BUL FC vs Vipers
• SC Villa vs Blacks Power

KCCA FC Head Coach Jackson Mayanja has called upon his charges to exhibit the highest level of confidence in the tough clash ahead of them.

The Kasasiro Boys will be o the road to take on Busoga United at Kakindu Stadium in their second-last Uganda Premier League game of the current campaign.

The duel will see the gaffer Mayanja return to the touchline for his side after serving a two-game ban that saw the vocal tactician watching from the stands.

“We need to be at our best in terms of confidence ahead of the clash against Busoga,” Mayanja said in the press conference before adding; “Busoga is still doing everything to see that they are not relegated and the game will not be easy at all.”

“Busoga has a good style of play and it’s the only thing I think they do better than most of the teams around. They always pass the ball intentionally and it’s an interesting team to watch. So if they are fighting relegation then am sure they will stage a real challenge.”

Mayanja also underlined that his side still has the chance to lift the trophy and he will not stop talking about it.

“First of all, I want to stress that KCCA FC wants the trophy and I will stick by my word. For any professional coach, I can not take my team out of the picture at this time not until the race is done.”

“We are still active in the title race, we are planning and doing all it takes to see that we win tomorrow’s game as we pray for the other teams against us to drop points and that’s soccer.”

“It was not good that we lost points in our previous games and now it has put us in a trick. So we shall mind winning our games as we keep an eye on the other games,” he concluded.

Both sides won their previous games, KCCA edging BUL in a 1-0 victory at home while Busoga United thrashed Arua Hill SC 4-1 in their den. While KCCA beat Busoga 2-1 in the reverse fixture in the game Laban Tibita was the star of the duel despite being on the losing side.

In the last five meetings, KCCA has been the victor and will seek to bag a routine win while Busoga United will be yearning to spoil the party for the Citizens.

KCCA are second on the table at the same points with the log leader on 49 points but shy of six goals while Busoga United are 13th with 27 points.

Sunday May 21, 2023

FUFA Women Cup

• She Maroons FC 2-0 Asubo Gafford

She Maroons are a step into the finals of the FUFA Women’s Cup after defeating Asubo Gafford Ladies in the first leg on Sunday.

In the game played at Luzira playground, She Maroons registered a 2-0 victory against the Gafford to secure a first-leg win.

Anita Babirye and Millicent Namwembe’s goals were the difference between the two sides in an end-to-end duel.

In the 12th minute, the hosts took the lead through Babirye who converted from the 12-yard mark with a powerful drive into the back of the net.

Four minutes later, Gafford nearly responded through Zaintun Namaganda but failed to guide the ball past the custodian.

At the start of the second stanza, Gafford introduced Evelyn Nassuna for Irene Nakilyowa bringing on fresh legs into the middle park.

As Gafford were on a hunt for a leveller, Maroons widen the lead through Millicent Namwembe who buried away a clear-cut chance from close range in the 77th minute.

On Saturday, Uganda Martyrs edge Kawempe Muslim in a 1-0 narrow victory at St Gerald playground.

The home side’s goal was scored by Viola Namuddu’s early strike in a tight show.

• Saturday, May 20
• St Mary’s Kitende 1-0 St Henry’s Kitovu

St Mary’s Secondary School Kitende (SMASK) clinched the 11th USSSA Football title to level record champions Kibuli SS.

St Mary’s Kitende has been crowned champions after edging St Henry’s Kitovu in a 1-0 victory at Nyakasura playground in Fort Portal.

Hanib Oloya’s goal was all that Kitende needed to walk back to Wakiso as Champions.

Samuel Lukooye warmed Marvin Ssebirango’s gloves with a long-range shot in the first minute of the game but the custodian dealt with the challenge.

Minutes later, Abubaker Walusimbi came close with a powerful but the effort went wide as the defending champions clearly showed intent right away.

In the fourth minute, Kitovu got their first chance through Collins Ocatre but the forward wrongly guided the ball with the goal at his disposal.

Kitende came close once again in the 23rd minute but Lukooye’s shot rattled off the crossbar before Kitovu’s backline cleared the ball far from danger.

Once again, Justine Opiro was the deliverer as his long throw-in gave Kitovu’s defender trouble.

Oloya headed the dropping ball into the back of the net before Nereko got the last touch as it rolled in.

But the goal was credited to Oloya after review.

Kitende was on the receiving end later on but was calm and sucked in the pressure from Kitovu.

The victory meant, Kitende managed to smartly defend the title after winning it last year in Arua.

It was a sweet revenge for Daniel Male’s troops who fell to Kitovu in a Group A game loss (2-1).

Kitende, Kitovu, Amus College and Royal Giants will represent Uganda in the East Africa games that will be hosted in Rwanda.

• Saturday, May 20
• Vipers SC 4-0 Bright Stars

Vipers SC registered a commanding 4-0 victory over Soltilo Bright Stars to take a huge first-leg advantage in the Uganda Cup semifinals.

The Venoms were ruthless, whitewashing the Bright Stars as they bagged a four-goal advantage as they await the second leg of the duel.

Goals scored by Bright Anukani (brace), Yunus Ssentamu and Karim Watambala gave the Vipers the needed advantage.

In the 10th minute, Warren Buule tripped Milton Karisa to award the home side a penalty. Anukani stepped up and converted from the spot to place Vipers in the lead.

Seven minutes later, Sentamu doubled the lead after tapping home Karisa’s low cross.

In the 27th minute, Anukani scored a beauty from a long-range effort catching custodian Hassan Matovu on the wrong side after he moved off the goal line.

Abubaker Lawal came close but his effort went wide after meeting a rebound off Watambala’s freekick.

In the dying minute, once again Buule fouled Cromwell Rwothomio in the box and Vipers were given another penalty.

Watambala scored the fourth from the spot to finish off the assignment in style.

After a stellar first leg, Vipers will have an easy job as the two teams will be renewing their rivalry at Kavumba Recreational grounds.

Vipers will seek to go for a third consecutive final of the Uganda Cup after falling to BUL last year in a painful 3-1 loss.

• Friday, May 19
• St Henry’s Kitovu 1(6)-1(5) Royal Giants

St Henry’s Kitovu continued with their impressive run advancing to the finals of the ongoing USSSA Games in Fort Portal.

In a game that was played at Nyakasura playground, Kitovu fought from a goal down to hold Royal Giants to a one-draw during normal time.

The centre referee sent the two sides into penalty kicks to see who takes the first spot in the contest for the prize.

Isa Bugembe gave Royal Giants the lead through a powerful volley that got the net shaking emphatically in the fourth minute.

Since then, Kitovu was the better side as they searched for a leveller though they concluded the first stanza a goal down.

Three minutes into the second stanza, Godfrey Ssekibengo restored parity for the Masaka-based side through a long-range shot that got the huge crowds on their feet in appreciation.

In the last minute of the game, Dramke Denish thought he had given Kitovu a well-deserved lead but the assistant referee had his flag up making an offside call.

After either side scored their five penalties, Kitovu’s Khalid Abubaker saw his penalty palmed away by custodian Shamran Kamya but Isa Bugembe failed to send Royal Giants into the finals after placing his effort wide.

Collins Ntale stepped and gave Kitovu the edge after making no mistake from the 12-yard mark before Isaac Apenyu missed to conclude Royal Giants’ chances of going further.

It will be the first time Kitovu will be playing the finals of USSSA Football but given their show in the previous games they could have a good chance to take the prize home.

MTN Uganda has joined forces with Tooro Kingdom to promote Healthy Living and Sports Development.

The development comes after MTN Uganda announced its partnership with the Kingdom for the highly anticipated second edition of the Bicycle Racing and Masaza Football Tournament.

With a commitment of over Shs150 million in sponsorship, MTN is dedicated to fostering healthy living and sports development among the youth in Tooro Kingdom.

The Masaza Football Tournament and Bicycle Racing, organized by Tooro Kingdom, is set to attract audiences as it runs concurrently across the nine counties of the Kingdom for two months. The initiative serves as a catalyst for engaging the youth in sports activities and providing them with a platform to channel their energy into healthy pursuits.

MTN Uganda believes in the transformative power of sports to uplift communities and empower individuals. John Paul Okwi, the Head of Sponsorships and Events at MTN Uganda, expressed the company’s dedication to this cause. 

“We call upon all the subjects of King Oyo to embrace sports as we raise our voices and encourage the youth to prioritize their well-being by taking good care of themselves, both physically and mentally,” Okwi said.

The Prime Minister of the Kingdom, Stephen Kiyingi Amooti, highlighted the significance of these events.

“Our King HM Oyo Kabamba Iguru has dedicated a lot of his own time and effort to ensure that youths take the reins of leadership in every sphere and area where they are found, but this can only be achieved if they embrace a healthy lifestyle,” he said.

 Michael Wandera, the Tooro Kingdom Minister for Sports, commended MTN for their consistent partnership and support.

“We appreciate the partnership with MTN, which aims to promote healthy well-being among the youths of Tooro through sports.”

The collaboration with Tooro Kingdom for the Masaza Football Tournament and Bicycle Racing showcases MTN’s dedication to uplifting the youth and promoting a healthy lifestyle through the spirit of sports.

Kitara Football Club have been crowned FUFA Big League champions.

The achievement was reached after a 1-0 victory against Kaaro Karungi at Kigaaya Primary School Playground.

The Royals came into the fixture having stiff competition from Mbarara City FC who were just a point behind them.

They had already been promoted to the Uganda Premier League after beating Adjumani Town Council 3-0 last week but wanted to place the icing on the cake.

Paul Mucureezi scored the only goal to give Sam Simbwa’s coached side maximum points in the dull encounter.

Paddy Muhumuza was pulled down in the forbidden area and Kitara was awarded a penalty. Mucureezi stepped up to the occasion and duly converted from the 12-yard mark.

George Ssenkaaba came close a number of times but failed to get the ball passed the dotted line.

It was jubilation after the final whistle as the home crowd flocked to the field of play to join the players in the chants and songs of praise.

The victory meant, Kitara concluded the Big League business on 61 points from 30 games.

Elsewhere, Mbarara put three past relegated Northern Gateway to finish the campaign second on the log with 60 points.

• Thursday, May 18 | FUFA Big League 
• Kitara FC 1-0 Kaaro Karungi