Friday, April 28, 2023

• Onduparaka 2-2 Arua Hill
• Express FC 1-1 Wakiso Giants
• BUL FC 1-1 Bright Stars

Onduparaka FC fought tooth and nail to come from down twice to share spoils with Arua Hill in the West Nile derby at Green Light Stadium today.

The Caterpillars bagged a point late at home in a game many thought had gone to their bitter rival Arua Hill.

In the 17^th minute, Rashid Toha opened the scoring through a glancing header off Gadafi Wahab’s delivery hence lighting up the stadium.

Five minutes later, Rashid Yakini restored parity with a shot to the roof of the net. Matters were levelled after Arua Hill failed to deal with William Gama’s delivery.

Moments later, Onduparaka had a chance to take the lead but Rogers Omedwa made a fingertip save to palm away Rashid Okocha’s effort from the corner kick.

The home fans were on their feet thinking Gama had given them the lead but the jubilations were cut short after the referee made an offside call.

Onduparaka continued to search for the lead as the crowd pumped them but the first stanza ended 1-1 leaving either side with hope to finish it later.

In the 71^st minute, Isaac Ogwang gave the visitors a slim edge after capitalising from the custodian’s howler where he fumbled with Wahab’s free kick.

Defender-cum-striker Emmanuel Oketch was the saviour as he levelled matters in added time. His effort bounced off the frame but he followed it and buried it away into an empty net after beating Omedwa

The point takes Arua Hill level with URA FC at 34 points in the fifth position while Onduparaka is bottom of the log with 14 points gathered from 23 games.

Next on the menu, Onduparaka will visit KCCA at MTN Omondi Stadium on Wednesday while Arua Hill will host Express FC on the same day.

 

 

 

CAF has revealed receipt of the declaration of interest from Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania to host the Africa Cup of Nations 2027.

The joint bid is a clear intention from the three East African Countries to host the continental football event along with other bidders in Algeria, Botswana and Egypt.

Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) President Moses Magogo has urged the government to speed up the process of renovating Mandela National Stadium.

This follows FUFA’s inspection of the venue on Monday 24th April 2023 which confirmed that the facility is not ready to host the AFCON qualifiers that resume in June.

The FUFA Executive has since taken a decision to host the Uganda Cranes next AFCON 2023 home fixture against Algeria in Cameroon.

Magogo feels the work is very slow for the country to be able to host the matches in Uganda.

“I call upon the relevant Government authorities to urgently cancel the contracts of the contractors and supervisors and immediately procure experienced service providers in stadium construction even if it means being obtained from outside Uganda.

“The Country is likely to have a delayed project, substandard work and without value for money,” said Magogo the President of FUFA.

Uganda Cup Semifinal Draws
Vipers SC vs Soltilo Bright Stars FC
Police FC vs Adjumani Town Council FC

Two-time winners and last season’s finalists Vipers SC have been drawn against Soltilo Bright Stars in the semifinals of the 2022/23 Uganda Cup.

Vipers are seeking to reach a third successive final after eliminating Calvary FC while Bright Stars on the other hand overcame KCCA FC at Kavumba Recreation Ground.

The other semifinal will be between Police FC and Adjumani Town Council. Police ejected holders BUL FC to reach the semifinals.

Adjumani Town Council defied the odds to dump out joint record holders Express FC. Vipers SC and Police FC will host the first legs.

The first legs will be played on 14th and 15th May with the second leg slated to take place between 20th- 27th May.

Thursday, April 26, 2023

• Luweero United vs Kitara
• Jinja North United vs NEC FC
• Lugazi FC vs Kyetume FC
• Booma FC vs Kataka FC
• Adjumani TC vs Ndejje University
• Soroti City vs Mbarara City

Log leaders Kitara FC have no room for error as they take on Luweero United in the FUFA Big League at Kasana Playground in a much-anticipated encounter today.

Kitara who are just a point above second-placed NEC FC and two points above third-placed Mbarara City will be keen to know if they faltered in any way, it’s possible to fall into the third.

The Royals meet a side they beat 4-0 in the first leg at Kigaaya playground and will fancy their options to complete a double.

Kitara FC head coach Sam Ssimbwa agrees it has not been easy away from home but in the final bend of the journey, there is always limited room for error.

“Each time we have not been playing at home, it has not been easy because all teams are fighting either to be promoted into the top tier or to avoid relegation,” he told the press ahead of the clash.

“However it’s upon us to know that we have a target and we should do all it takes to see that we go back home with a positive result,” he added.

According to the tactician, the boys are ready and will stage a spirited fight so that they lighten their chances of qualification as well as clinch the title.

Kitara play this game after edging Kyetume 2-1 thanks to a late match-winner that sparked a riot at Nakisunga Grounds in Mukono last week.

While Luweero will seek to make amends after falling to Mbarara in a 1-0 loss at Kakyeka Stadium in the land of milk and honey.

Kitara has collected 51 points from 26 games, managing fourteen wins, nine draws and three defeats while 13th-placed Luweero has collected 28 points after 26 games.

Bright Stars head coach Asaph Mwebaze was left disappointed due to the lack of character from his troops as they shared spoils with Express FC.

Bright Stars were held by the Red Eagles in a 1-1 draw in the Uganda Premier League at Kavumba Recreational Grounds, Wakiso.

“We were capable of taking all maximum points but unfortunately we got only one. We did not do enough and lacked the character to get the second goal and seal off the duel,” Mwebaze revealed to the club media after the final whistle.

“We were on top of the game but we allowed them back and killed the rhythm after conceding which made it hard for us to pick something positive out of the duel,” he added.

Ibrahim Kasinde gave Bright Stars the lead in the 18th minute but Allan Kayiwa leveled in the second half to bring back Express in the mix.

Mwebaze added that there are a number of positives to pick and build from that in the next game they are to play away from home.

“We left with a point and shift attention to the next game. Going forward the performance was not bad the boys played well but we only need to tighten up a few arrears that we let go.”

“We can continue with what we are doing and it will help us get better hence picking a positive result.”

According to the soft-spoken gaffer, as the technical team they have to do all it takes to see that they keep the players mentally at their best so that they can face the busy fixture.

“The games are coming one after the other in a short time but these are the demands of top-flight football, we have to make sure we rest and prepare for the game on Friday in Jinja,” he concluded.

Bright Stars are 11th with 28 points gathered from 22 games.

In their next game, they will be visiting BUL FC at FUFA Technical Centre, Njeru on Friday, April, 28.

Wednesday, April 26, 2023

• Asubo Gafford 1-1 Makerere
• Lady Doves 3-2 Uganda Martyrs
• Olila H/S 1-1 UCU Lady Cardinals

Asubo Gafford Ladies held Makerere University WFC in a 1-1 draw in the FUFA Women Super League at Kampala Quality Ground today morning.

Kamiyati Naigaga was heroic for Asubo Gafford as her deflected effort found the back of the net to keep their chances of surviving alive.

Makerere University took the lead through Sharon Namatovu to earn all bragging rights that lived till the last minute of the game.

The point earned keeps Asubo in the fight for survival. They will have a task to pick a victory in their last game of the league against Rines SS WFC who have a better goal difference but the same points.

In other games, Lady Doves picked a vital 3-2 victory against Uganda Martyrs at Katusabe Stadium, Masindi

It was precious three points for the home side that got out of the red zone with just a game to end the ongoing campaign.

Resty Kobusobozi, Norah Alupo, and Diana Nantongo were on target as the Masindi-based side secured maximum points to lightening up their road to survival.

Catherine Nagadya’s emphatic brace was not enough to yield Uganda Martyrs anything out of the five-goal-thriller.

Meanwhile, Olila High School came from behind to share spoils with UCU Lady Cardinals in a 1-1 draw in Soroti.

The stalemate takes UCU to 22 points in the fourth position while Olila sits at the bottom of the 10-team log with 17 points.

FUFA’s disciplinary panel has slapped FUFA Big League side Kyetume with a fine of UGX 1,000,000 as a violation of Article 31 of the federation’s Competitions Rules and Regulations.

The development came as a result of hooliganism witnessed during the game against Kitara FC on Thursday, April 20, 2023 at Nakisunga Saza Ground, Mukono.

The game ended earlier than it would after a section of home fans sparked off in denial of a late goal to Kitara that turned the score to 2-1.

Players from either side were told to leave the pitch for safety and the centre referee as well abandoned the game as Police tried to restore peace.

“A cash fine of UGX 1M and should be paid by Tuesday, May 2,” the sanction from FUFA partly reads before adding; “A four-match suspension for each of two Kyetume FC players Solomon Opolot and Patrick Mubiru.”

“Should the club and the players fail to heed to the sanction above, the CDP shall be constrained to take stringent disciplinary measures against them,” it affirmed.

Kyetume is 10^th on the log with 33 points while Kitara is on the top of the log with 51 points after 26 games.

In the next games, Kitara will be on the road once again as they take on 13th-placed Luwero United at Kasana Playground while Kyetume will visit Lugazi FC tomorrow.

Tuesday, April 25, 2023

• Arua Hill SC 0-1 Vipers SC
• Bright Stars 1-1 Express FC
• Maroons FC 1-0 UPDF

Bright Stars will have to deal will the task of winning their third game in a row and second in the league after registering four losses earlier.

After eliminating KCCA FC from the Uganda Cup, they went on to pick a 1-0 victory after edging Onduparaka away from home.

The latest assignment on the table will be Express FC as they face off in the Uganda Premier League at Kavumba Recreational Grounds, Wakiso.

Ahead of the game, Asaph Mwebaze has expressed readiness revealing they have a set game plan to pull off another victory.

“We have been preparing well for this game, and the players are in good shape. We know that Express are a strong team but we have set up a game plan to pick maximum points,” Mwebaze was quoted by the club’s website.

“We have been working on our tactics and I believe we are prepared for what so ever will come our way. The target is clear we are not in the best position on the log and we have no room to drop more points,” he added.

In the same breath, right-back Jonathan Odong stressed that have been working hard to end the poor run and it’s now up to them to safeguard the winning streak.

“We know that they are good, but we are confident in our abilities. We have a strong team spirit and will fight until the final whistle to get the victory,” he said.

Bright Stars are 10^th with 27 points and are not so far from the red zone hence requiring them to pick maximum points from each game they play as the season hits the final bend.

While Express have won their last three games to end an 11-game winless run to recover their campaign.

Express are ninth with 28 points with seven wins, seven draws and seven losses in 21 games played.