After ejecting KCCA from the Uganda Cup, Bright Stars are now flying in the sky like their name states and they would not want to think of coming down.

Bright Stars ousted the Kasasiro Boys 1-0 inspired by Noordin Bunjo’s second half strike.

Bright Stars head coach Asaph Mwebaze revealed that the win against KCCA has turned around the season after a poor run of four losses in a row.

“It feels good after winning against KCCA. In the league we have not been doing well so this win is precious because it puts us in a positive mood,” Asaph told club media.

“I am glad we have reached the semifinals of this cup and we are closer to finals. As a club we need this and as individuals we equally need it because it’s not everyday that you get a chance to come this far,” he added.

Bright Stars captain Andrew Kyambadde said it’s a source of motivation after the trying moment they have been going through

“This win is a source of motivation. We have been losing games even after playing well. We have been creating chances but always failed to convert them. So today is a pleasure. We have against a side a strong side,” he said.

“We are in a good morale and am confident we shall win the next games. I would like to thank everyone that stood with us all the way. This win belongs to them and their our hero’s,” he stressed.

It was joy for the hosts as KCCA’s trouble compounded. The result forced Morley Byekwaso to resign after failing to register a victory in four games.

Bright Stars will wait for the draws to know their opponent on the next stage. They reached the finals in 2019 and lost to Proline on spot kicks.

Next on menu for the Stars is a long journey to the West Nile to play against Onduparaka FC at Green Light Stadium, Arua on Wednesday.

KCCA FC manager Morley Byekwaso Ochama has resigned from his job following his team’s elimination from the Uganda Cup by Bright Stars on Sunday.

A second-half goal by Noordin Bunjo meant KCCA FC got dumped out of the Cup at the quarterfinal stage.

Immediately after the game, Byekwaso told the media that he had taken a decision to leave his role at the club.

“We expected to win, we got some chances but couldn’t score and unfortunately we lose the game.”

“I blame all players that take our penalties and it was not Kankonde to take it. I saw him arguing for the ball yet there are other players ahead of him in the pecking order.”

” I have taken the decision as a coach because I’m seeing a lot of player power in the team. I’m not going to carry on facing such situations. When we train, we give players roles and when they don’t take responsibility and respect roles it brings disorganisation. “

“I can not go on, there are a lot of good things for the club, they are still in contention for the League and that has been my time. I wish my team the best of success in the future.” Byekwaso stated.

Byekwaso has been under immense pressure ever since he took over from Mike Mutebi two years ago first on an interim basis before signing a three-year deal in June 2021.

KCCA sit second with 36 points, four behind leaders SC Villa who have played two games more.

KCCA FC forward Allan Okello has called for unity as the club reaches the final bend of the 2022/23 season.

Okello has scored four goals in the Uganda Premier League and one goal in the Uganda Cup since his return to KCCA FC for the 2022/23 season.

The forward told the club website;

We have been working on our mistakes in training and we know we will get back to winning ways. We have not won a game in our last three played and we have been working to get things better on the training ground. The season is a marathon and it is not a sprint. I call upon everyone, fans, management and fellow players to keep together as we hit the final bend of the season. Especially the fans, we need you as that 12th player and your motivation and support will count a lot in these next months.

Allan Okello

Okello is on a season-long loan at KCCA FC from Algerian club AC Paradou. He has won the Uganda Premier League twice with KCCA FC in 2017 and 2019 before he left for a professional stint at AC Paradou.

• Sunday, April 16, 2023 
• Bright Stars vs KCCA

KCCA will be on the road as they visit Bright Stars in the last quarterfinal fixture of the ongoing Uganda Cup.

The winner of the duel will join Vipers SC, Police FC, and Adjumani TC who have already taken the first slots on the semifinals line-up.

The hosts have gone four games without a win while KCCA has been held after three consecutive stalemates in the Uganda Premier League.

KCCA head coach Morley Byekwaso reveals there is an immense need to return to winning ways as they keep their eyes on the grand prize.

“We need to get back to winning ways as we have not won in our last three games,” Byekwaso was quoted by the club’s official website.

“They knocked us out of the Uganda Cup last year and we know the kind of threat they possess but we have made corrections since then,” he added.

“We have trained so well and we know our opponent so well. A win will motivate us and we know the need to get our winning streak back to life.”

On the other hand, Bright Stars head coach Asaph Mwebaze is confident that his troops have all it takes to secure a victory.

“We are confident that if we follow the plan we shall secure the victory,” Mwebaze told the club media.

“We have to take care of the business in regular time, but this being a knockout game you can expect anything,” he further said.

KCCA will be without Brian Majwega, Arafati Usama, Domic Ayella and Faisal Wabyona as they continue to nurse injuries.

On return is Kizza Mustapha after recovering from injury while Geoffrey Wasswa returns from suspension.

• Saturday, April 15, 2023
• Adjumani vs Express

Uganda Cup joint record champions Express lock horns with Adjumani Town Council in the quarterfinals set to be played at Paridi playground today.

Express head coach James Odong anticipates a tough and tight duel but he is confident they will travel back home with a win.

“We have prepared well and we know we have a tough game ahead of us,” Odoch told the club media ahead of the game.

“It’s a hard-working side that will have the home crowd behind them but we need the victory so that we keep our chances of winning the cup bright,” he noted.

The lowly side will fancy their chances of upsetting a top-tier club in the ongoing knockout tournament.

However, they come into this fixture after some of their players were injured in the hooliganism attacks by Kataka fans after a 1-1 draw in Big League.

To reach this level, Express ruthlessly beat Paidha Black Angels 4-0 while Adjumani oust Bunyaruguru in spot kicks after a goalless draw.

• Friday, April 14
• Vipers 4-1 Calvary

Yunus Junior Sentamu was on fire as Vipers eliminated Calvary from the Uganda Cup after a 4-1 victory at St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende on Friday.

Sentamu and Abubaker Lawal registered braces for the hosts while Junior Adama gave Calvary their only goal.

The first chance of the game fell to Milton Karisa but his effort went wide before Karim Ndugwa also missed from close range. 

In the ninth minute, Sentamu placed the home side in the driving seat with a well-taken freekick that beat the wall before landing into the back of the net.

Seven minutes later, Lawal doubled the lead steps away from the goal line. The Nigerian forward was set up in style by Sentamu after beating a forest of legs.

The visitors were punished for poor defending in the 19th minute when Sentamu cut inside and curled his effort home using his weaker left foot.

Calvary woke up and stepped up hence keeping the Venoms on their back foot. The pressure paid off as the visitors pulled back one through Adama’s freekick.

Six minutes into the second stanza, Karisa went down in the area after minimal contact and the centre referee pointed to the spot.

Lawal stepped up and forced the ball past goalkeeper Hadji Sukuru whose touch was slight to save the effort.

The result guides Alex Isabirye’s troops into the semifinals to join Police FC as they wait on the remaining two fixtures.

Remaining Fixtures

Saturday, April 15

• Adjumani TC vs Express

Sunday, April 16

• Bright Stars vs KCCA FC

• Fixture | Friday, April 14, 2023
• Vipers SC vs Calvary

Vipers SC registered their maiden win under new head coach Alex Isabirye after beating Blacks Power in the league on Saturday.

The victory as well doubled as the first win of the club in open play since December of last year.

As they take on Calvary FC in the quarterfinals of the Uganda Cup, Vipers will seek to maintain the winning status.

Ahead of the duel, Isabirye has highlighted the need to keep improving and create a winning mentality in the player.

“We are gradually improving,” Isabiry told the club media before adding; “We struggled in the past games but we are now on the right track.”

“We are trying to get to where we want to be and even though the game will not be easy, we have to win because we are home,” he stressed.

“I know it will be right because there is no small team that reaches the quarterfinals. So they will come wanting to go through, but we are ready.”

In the previous Uganda Cup games, Vipers have needed penalties to go past Bujumbura United, Jinja North United and recently Wakiso Giants

To reach this level, Calvary also eliminated Kitara FC on penalties after playing to a one-all draw.

The injury list of Vipers keeps growing and the latest candidates of the sick bay are Bright Anukani with fever and midfielder Miguel Nzau who suffered a knock.

Vice-captain Siraje Sentamu and Karim Watambala are still sidelined due to hamstring and knee injuries respectively.

Goalkeeper Alfred Mudekereza is also not available for selection with a finger injury.

• Kitaara 2-2 Mbarara City

Kitara FC held Mbarara City in a two-all draw in the FUFA Big League on Thursday at Kigaaya Playground.

The clash of the titans lived to the billing as the two sides had to stage an extra effort in a four-goal-thriller.

Jude Ssemugabi’s brace could not give the visitors maximum points as it was cancelled by John Kisakye’s late double.

With the summit at their sight, Mbarara will feel undone after failing to guard their 2-0 lead with five minutes to fulltime.

In the 8th minute, Jude Ssemugabi gave the visitors an early lead after picking Clinton Kamugisha’s loose back pass.

Thereafter, Kitara took the ball to the opponent but failed to place it passed the dotted line.

It got from bad to worse as Ssemugabi doubled the lead after custodian Farouk Yawe failed to deal with Henry Kitegenyi’s powerful effort.

Second-half entrant, John Kisakye gave the hosts a consolation to create some light in the dark tunnel.

In the 97th minute, Kisakye completed the comeback with a well-taken effort from 12 yards.

It was a successive 2-2 draw since they came in this game off the same result against Ndejje University.

The result keeps Kitara on the summit of the log with 48 points while Mbarara slipped a step back into the third with 45 points.

In the next games, Kitara will visit Kyetume FC while Mbarara City will be home against Luwero United.