Tuesday May 5

Group A results

• St Mary’s Kitende 4-0 Tororo Town College
• Bishop Comboni 0- St Henry’s Kitovu
• Jinja Comprehensive 2-2 Teso Progressive
• Latifa Mixed 2-0 Nakaseke International

St Mary’s Kitende (SMASK) staged a perfect start to their title defence against Tororo Town College in the 2023 USSSA Games at Kichwamba Grounds, Fort Portal today morning.

The defending champions registered a 4-0 victory in a game that was concluded in the first half right away.

In the seventh minute, Ronald Madoi broke the deadlock after raising high to node home off Justine Opiro’s curling free kick.

Two minutes later, Abdul Nsereko extended the lead with a header from close range after being set up by Olimi Nyarwa

Hakim Mutebi joined the scoring sheet in the 16th minute after shooting home Opiro’s low sweet pass in the area.

This came after Tororo Town College defenders failed to deal with Nsereko’s pace on the right flank before he dashed in a pass to meet Kitende’s captain Opiro.

At half an hour mark, Olimi placed the ball past the far post with a low powerful effort to make it four with five minutes left to play in the first stanza.

Tororo’s backline was more solid in the second half and denied Kitende from extending their tally.

Daniel Male made a number of changes to bring on fresh legs but still the damage could not get worse.

St Mary’s Kitende will return in action tomorrow as they take on Bishop Comboni College Kambuga while Tororo will face Nakaseke International.

The defending champions are in Group A alongside Nakaseke International School, St Henry’s College Kitovu, Jinja Comprehensive, Bishop Comboni and Tororo Town College.

Defending champions St Noa Secondary School staged a perfect start with a 5-0 victory against Masaka SS at Ntare School grounds on Monday morning.

The champions of the 2022 Secondary School Ball Games started the hurt of a back-to-back championship with a statement win.

Sylvia Kabene (brace), Imelda Kasemire, Maureen Kitimbo and Yudaya Najjemba were on the scoresheet to give St Noa the right rhythm.

Isma Mukiibi’s charges were slapped to a loss but have a chance to get back on the right path against Moyo Star Secondary.

St Noa are in Group A alongside Highway Sironko, Kiyinyi Memorial School, Bon Consili, Nyabuhare SS, Taggy High School and Masaka SS

Elsewhere, Taggy High School shared spoils with Boni Consili Girls Vocational School in a 1-1 draw.

 

As the ongoing Uganda Premier League comes to an end the secretariat has taken a decision to adjust the fixture and allow the top three teams to play their last three games on the same dates.

Now, Vipers SC are left with five games, KCCA is left with four while SC Villa has only three on their menu.

After Vipers SC beat KCCA FC 1-0 on Friday, the log became more interesting as the two teams are level at 45 points, one behind table leaders SC Villa.

Jackson Magera’s charges were supposed to host Blacks Power on Tuesday, May 9 but the duel was extended to Tuesday, May 23.

“As you are undoubtedly aware, the SUPL is in its final stages of conclusion with the title not yet decided with four matches (on average) to go,” the document read.

“In the spirit of fair play and equal opportunity, UPL secretariat has made the following fixture arguments to ensure the last three games involving KCCA FC, SC Villa and Vipers are played on the same date and time,” he added.

Remaining fixtures for the three sides

Vipers SC

• Bright Stars (A)
• Onduparaka (A)
• Express FC (H)
• BUL FC (A)
• Busoga United (H)

KCCA FC

• Express FC (A)
• BUL FC (H)
• Busoga FC (A)
• Bright Stars (H)

SC Villa

• Blacks Power (H)
• UPDF FC (A)
• URA FC (H)

Edward Kizza was the first choice for the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC in their USL Championship match with Monterey Bay FCat Cardinale Stadium.

The 24-year-old Ugandan forward turned up but unfortunately didn’t etch his name on the scoresheet, eventually getting substituted in the final half for Mike DeShields in the 78th minute.

Instead, Albert Dikwa scored twice for the Hounds to pull into a tie for the USL Championship scoring lead with seven goals.

Two former Hounds scored for Monterey Bay, Alex Dixon in the first half and Christian Volesky with the tying goal in stoppage time.

Riverhounds completely outplayed Monterey Bay Union for 90 minutes and it was the first time the two outfits were meeting.

With the draw, the Hounds’ record now stands at 2-2-5 in league play, good for 11 points and fifth place in the USL Championship’s Eastern Conference standings.

Kizza has made 8 domestic cup appearances so far this year and played 404 minutes for the Pittsburgh Riverhounds.

Friday May 5

• Vipers SC 1-0 KCCA FC

Milton Karisa’s late strike helped Vipers SC to register a 1-0 victory against KCCA FC in the Uganda Premier League at St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende on Friday.

It was a green light for the Kitende-based side in the chase of the title defence.

Both sides had several chances on the goal but only one crossed the dotted line late.

Abubaker Lawal thought he had given the hosts a lead after five minutes only to see his effort bounce off the goalpost. This was after Milton Karisa’s delivery met the Nigerian forward at the far post.

Six minutes later, Rogers Mato warmed up Fabien Mutombora’s gloves with a hard shot after being set up by Allan Okello on the left flank.

Close to half an hour mark, the Kasasiro Boys created a moment of wonder with Mato, Okello and Saidi Mayanja exchanging passes with a quick pace but Mato’s final shot sailed out.

With three minutes to end the first stanza, Okello started a freekick early to find Mato unmarked but the latter’s first touch was heavy and Mutombora was in the right place to pick the ball.

Eight minutes into the second, emotions sparked off as Mustafa Mujuzi dangerously fouled Lawal.

Players and officials exchanged words and pulled each other which resulted in a red card to Vipers custodian Ibrahim Mugisha.

In the 65th minute, Vipers were lucky as they watched Okello’s curling effort go off the post after beating goalkeeper Mutombora.

In the 88th minute, Karisa found the back of the net with a low hard shot to light up the stadium that was full to the rafters.

In added time, Angolan defender Miguel Nzau nearly doubled the lead but his mistimed effort rolled narrowly wide of the frame.

After full-time, players went straight to the referee and Congolese striker Kankonde Tshisingu was shown a red card.

The victory takes Vipers second on the log with 45 points level with KCCA FC.

• Thursday May 4
• Kitara FC 5-1 Soroti City
• NEC 1-2 Lugazi FC
• Mbarara City 5-0 Adjumani TC
• Ndejje University 1-1 Kaaro Karungi
• Police FC 5-1 Northern Gateway
• Calvary FC 0-0 Booma FC
• Kataka 2-0 Jinja North
• Kyetume 2-0 Luweero United

Kitara FC is now a step away from securing top flight football after registering a 5-1 victory against Soroti City FC in the FUFA Big League at Kigaaya Ground, Hoima.

Paul Mucureezi (brace), George Ssenkaaba, Edison Agondeze and Paddy Muhumuza were on target as the Royals made a big statement in their hurt of promotion.

Daniel Opio scored the only goal for the hosts today evening.

The victory puts the Hoima-based side in a comfortable place and a point in their next game would ensure promotion to the top tier.

In the 30th minute of the game, Mucureezi opened the scoring with a well-taken freekick to place Kitara in the driving seat.

In the added time of the first stanza, Opio restored parity to sent both sides in the long break leveled.

Six minutes after recess, Mucureezi restored the hosts’ lead to complete a brace and ignite the pace of his teammates.

Ssenkaaba nodded home Moses Sseruyide’s freekick to widen the lead as the fans got on their feet in jubilation.

With three minutes left on the clock, Agondeze placed the ball in the back of the net before he turned provider to Muhumuza who hit the last nail in Soroti’s coffin.

Kitara’s victory keeps them on the summit with 55 points while Soroti City lie 14th on the log with 27 points.

In the next game, Kitara will face Adjumani TC next friday while Soroti host Luwero United on the same day.

Thursday, May 4

• NEC FC 1-2 Lugazi
• Kitara FC 5-1 Soroti City
• Mbarara FC 5-0 Adjumani
• Police FC 5-1 Northern Gateway
• Kataka FC 2-0 Jinja Northern
• Calvary FC 0-0 Booma

NEC Football Club were edged by Lugazi FC in a 2-1 loss in the FUFA Big League at Coffee Grounds, Bugolobi on Thursday evening.

The Army side faced their seventh loss of the ongoing campaign having played 28 games as they continue to chase top-flight football.

NEC FC faced a big blow as they lost their captain Marvin Kavuma after suffering an injury.

In the 35th minute, Gerald Ogwet placed the visitors ahead with an easy tap-in after NEC goalkeeper Braddy Wokorach failed to deal with Shafick Kiryowa’s powerful effort.

As the first half was looming, Ogwet doubled the lead after NEC’s defensive line failed to clear Moses Mpuga’s delivery from the right flank of the pitch.

After recess, NEC returned a better side throwing bodies in front in search of a response after falling two goals down.

Second-half substitute Geoffrey Sserukuma came close with a backward header from close range but custodian Anthony Emojong was quick to collect the ball.

In the 77th minute, Sserunkuma raised in a forest of bodies to node home hence giving the hosts a consolation goal.

The Bugolobi-based side tried their best to level matters but Lugazi were compact and tight at the back.

The loss left them in the third position with 51 points while Lugazi raise to the fifth position at 40.

NEC are left with two games against Adjumani TC at home and later conclude with Kaaro Karungi away from home.

Friday, May 5, 2023

• Vipers SC vs KCCA FC

KCCA FC interim head coach Jackson Mayanja has revealed that his side cannot be intimidated by Vipers SC.

Mayanja opened up ahead of the clash of titans that will see Vipers host KCCA at St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende on Friday.

“We can not travel to Vipers intimidated. I know they are from the Champions League but KCCA is a great club,” Mayanja revealed during a press conference at MTN Omondi Stadium, Lugogo.

“We need to win the game against Vipers tomorrow. I just want to tell them (Vipers) that they should just wait for us tomorrow. They should be on guard because we are coming to Kitende to have the game done,” he added.

The winner of the clash will draw closer to the title ahead of the season photo finish.

If KCCA win then they will go on top of the log with 48 points, two ahead of the the current log leaders SC Villa.

However, if Vipers win the duel, they will go second on the log with 45 points levels with KCCA but with a better goal difference and having played a game less.

“We are still in the title race. Yes we drew our last game but it was not a loss. Its normal in football that the last team on the table can come and upset a bigger side.”

“The surprises are still on, you saw Villa lose to Maroons after beating Vipers. So the title is still alive. So we only need to keep focused and win our games.”

Having a win on their minds, Mayanja underlined they plan to go all out and hurt their rival without shying away.

“When you go to win then you have to go all the way and attack. So the game plan is clear, we are going all out to look for the win. There is nothing to hide about it and Vipers should know that.”

“We have no thoughts of defending. We are going to attack Vipers until we get the result. If we do not get the result it will be God’s plan but we need a positive result badly,” he underlined strongly.

Team News

Rogers Mato and Brian Aheebwa will require a late fitness test to tell their fate in the game.

Head to Head

KCCA are second on the log with 45 points while Vipers are third on 42.

In the last 10 meetings, Vipers SC has been the better side registering four wins while KCCA has been beaten the Venoms twice and they have shared points on four ocassions.

Wednesday, May 3

• Maroons FC 1-0 SC Villa
• Arua Hill SC 4-1 Express FC
• Blacks Power 1-1 URA FC
• Bright Stars 2-0 Busoga United

Maroons registered a 1-0 well-deserved victory against log leaders in the Uganda Premier League in Luzira on Wednesday evening.

The all-important goal from Ronald Orombi inspired the Prison Wardens past the Jogoo on a cloudy evening.

Jackson Magera’s troops suffered the seventh loss of the ongoing campaign after playing 25 games off the lineup of 28.

In the 24th minute, Ivan Bogere thought he had given SC Villa the lead but his bouncing header rattled off the woodwork before custodian Simon Tamale finger-tipped the rebound.

Eight minutes later, the Wardens took the lead through Ronald Orombi whose powerful strike found the back of the net.

This came after Edward Masembe threw his body on the line to block Brian Kayanja’s hard effort but Orombi was in the perfect place to rebound.

Three minutes after an hour mark, Charles Bbaale set up Patrick Jonah Kakande but the forward’s touch was denied by the goalpost before Tamale picked the remains.

In the last minute of the game, Tamale fumbled with the ball and lost possession to Travis Mutyaba but the latter’s resultant effort went above the frame.

The loss leaves SC Villa on top of the log with 46 points while Maroons move fifth with 36.

Next on the log, SC Villa hosts Blacks Power on Tuesday, May 9 while Maroons visit Gaddafi on the same day.

• Arua Hill SC 4-1 Express FC

Arua Hill SC returned to winning ways with a well-deserved 4-1 victory against Express FC in the Uganda Premier League at Barifa Stadium.

Gadafi Wahab (brace), Rashid Kawawa and Innocent Media were on target as the Kongolo humbled the Red Eagles in their den.

Anwar Ntege was on target to find Express’ only goal in the one-sided encounter.

The hosts opened the party early in the second minute as Wahab raised high to node the Kongolo ahead.

Twenty-four minutes later, Kawawa introduced himself from the sickbay with a sweet volley to double Arua Hill’s lead in style.

In the 27th minute, Ntege reduced the deficit for the visitors by pulling back one and restoring hope.

Twelve minutes into the second half, quick-footed forward Media restored Arua Hill’s two-goal lead through a fine finish.

In the 75th minute, Wahab completed his brace punishing Express who easily gave away possession in the dangerous area.

The victory sent Arua Hill to fourth position with 37 points while Express is 10th at 30.

Arua Hill’s next text will be a visit to BUL on Wednesday, April 10 while Express play KCCA next at Wankulukuku on Sunday, May 13.