Vipers Sports Club has appointed experienced tactician Alex Isabirye as their new head coach.

Isabirye replaces Beto Bianchi Pellister who parted ways with the club early this week.

“I am incredibly proud and excited to represent Vipers Sports Club, this fantastic football club.

“I am very excited to be here and look forward to meeting and working with the exciting group of players and to develop a team and culture that our amazing fans can be proud of,” Isabirye said as quoted by the club website.

Isabirye will work alongside other coaches; Richard Wasswa, Ibrahim Mugisha and Kato Ibrahim.

Isabirye who has been in charge of BUL has previously won the league with URA FC and the Uganda Cup with Victoria University and BUL.

His coaching experience stretches to Kyetume FC, Soana FC, Busoga United and Somali outfit Horseed FC.

Isabirye will be tasked with defending the Uganda Premier League where we sit fourth with 28 points, seven adrift of leaders KCCA FC who have played a game more.

The other immediate task will be to guide Vipers to Uganda Cup glory. The Venoms take on Wakiso Giants FC on Tuesday at the Kabaka Kyabaggu Stadium in the Round of 16.

FUFA Women Super League champions-elect Kampala Queens picked a 1-0 win over Uganda Martyrs in a game played at St. Gerald Stadium, Lubaga on Saturday.

Skipper Shamirah Naluggya’s first-half goal was enough as the Queens of Soccer edged closer to the title. Now on 37 points, Kampala Queens need just a win to be declared champions.

Uganda Martyrs dominated in the opening minutes with Sumaiyah Nalumu and Latifah Nakasi going at Kampala Queens and missing a couple of chances.

However, I was the visitors who took the lead in the 20th minute when Naluggya headed in on a rebound after Resty Nanziri’s effort had smashed the crossbar, a goal that turned out winner.

In the second stanza, there were barely any chances from both sides but Nalumu’s shot was kept out by Kampala Queens goalkeeper Daisy Nakaziro.

Uganda Martyrs remained second on the log with 22 points and are 15 points below leaders Kampala Queens.

Starting XIs

Uganda Martyrs – Sharon Norah Kaidu (GK), Catherine Nagadya, Patience Nabulobi, Shamusa Najjuma, Sumaiyah Nalumu, Rebecca Nandhego, Esther Namusoke, Nakacwa Kevin, Latifah Nakasi, Stella Namisango, Viola Namuddu

Kampala Queens – Daisy Nakaziro (GK), Shamirah Naluggya, Lukiya Namubiru, Hassifa Nassuna, Sumaya Komuntale, Resty Nanziri, Zainah Nandede, Joan Nabirye, Asia Nakibuuka, Patricia Akiror, Margret Kunihira

FUFA Women Super League | Matchday 13

Saturday Results

• Uganda Martys 0-1 Kampala Queens
• Lady Doves Fc 1-1 Rines SS WFC
• UCU Lady Cardinals 1-0 She Corporate FC

Sunday Fixtures

• Kawempe Muslim vs. Makerere University
• Olila HS WFC vs. Asubo Gafford Ladies

Vipers Sports Club is set to appoint Alex Isabirye as the next head coach of the club, according to Pulse Sports.

According to the publication, “Vipers’ president Lawrence Mulindwa first approached BUL at the beginning of the season but the Jinja-based edible oil makers held on to the coach.”

Mulindwa is believed to have been monitoring Isabirye after his stunning performance from an 8-1 loss in the Uganda Cup final in the 2020/21 season to a 3-1 victory that denied the Venoms a double last season.

The deal is tipped to be sealed on Sunday, a day after BUL replay SC Villa in the Uganda Cup round of 32 before the unveiling on Monday.

A Ugandan, a Russian and a Kenyan have been arrested in Nairobi, Kenya for allegedly getting involved in acts of match-fixing.

The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) revealed the news via statement; “The federation wishes to thank the police and a section of FKF PL players who assisted in the arrest and detention of three individuals, amongst them a Kenyan and two foreigners involved in issuing bribes and match-fixing.”

According to Daily Nation Akhiad Kubiev, a Russian, Martin Munga Mutua, a Kenyan and Bernard Navendi, a Ugandan were nabbed.

“Due to the sensitivity of the case, FKF will not be commenting further on the matter until investigations are concluded,” further read the statement.

They are reported to have dealt with Kshs. 30,000 (shs. 960,000) to cater for their transportation to the meeting venue and had been promised $14,000 (shs. 51 million) if their plans succeeded.

Omukoto is serving a four-year FIFA ban for involving himself in acts of manipulating and fixing a game in 2019.

He was banned alongside Ugandan player George Mandela who was banned for life from taking part in any football-related activities.

Goalkeeper Salim Jamal Magoola and defender Joseph Ochaya are back in the Uganda Cranes set-up ahead of the AFCON 2023 Qualifiers.

The provisional squad was summoned by Uganda Cranes head coach Milutin Sredojevic Micho for the doubleheader against Tanzania in the AFCON 2023 Qualifiers.

Magoola last featured for the national team two years ago with his last call coming in the game against Malawi where Uganda failed to qualify for the 2021 AFCON.

Ochaya has had an incredible run with his Egyptian side Arab Contractors scoring five goals and making three assists. He last earned a call to the National team in 2021.

Uganda will host Tanzania on 24th March at Suez Canal Authority Stadium in Egypt before facing off in Dar es Salaam four days later for the return leg.

Uganda has just a point from the opening two games in Group G, picked off Niger at St. Mary’s Stadium, Kitende.

Kenya Women’s premier outfit Vihiga Queens Women Football Club has acquired the services of Winnie Babirye on a two-year deal from FUFA Women’s super league club She Makerere (Mak).

She joins another country-mate Anita Namata who crossed over after a brief stint at 2022 league champions Nakawa-based She Corporate.

Babirye has openly expressed her delight upon joining the Kenyan giants; “I am humbled to have signed at Vihiga Queens women’s football club.

“This is a new challenge in my career and I am ready for the task at hand,” she told Kawowo Sports Media.

Babirye is a former player at Toro Queens, Lady Doves and Kampala Queens. She studied at Namirembe Standard Academy, Mukono where she completed her ordinary level of Education.

Babirye joins Vigiga Queens at a crucial time when they are on a mission to dislodge leader Gaspo women off the 12-team log.

After 11 games played, Gaspo WFC has accumulated 24 points, two ahead of Vihiga Queens. Thika Queens and Nakuru City queens closely follow with 21 and 20 points respectively.

Vipers Sports Club has parted ways with head coach Beto Bianchi after two months in charge, as announced on its website.

“Vipers Sports Club announces that the contract of head Coach Beto Bianchi has been terminated with immediate effect,” the statement reads.

“The club would like to thank Bianchi for his tireless efforts during his time at the club and wish him success in his future endeavours.”

Roberto Luiz Bianchi Pelliser famously known as Beto Bianchi replaced Brazilian Roberto Oliviera who moved to Simba SC.

The Brazilian left for Simba in late December after guiding the Venoms to the league title and the group stages of the CAF Champions League.

Bianchi has endured a fruitless stay in Kitende taking charge of only seven games (4 CAF Champions League, one Uganda Premier League match and 2 in the Stanbic Uganda Cup games).

In the aforementioned games, he could only account for four draws and three losses. The club failed to score a single goal in all six games played.

Vipers Sports Club has fired head coach Roberto Bianchi less than two months after his appointment.

“Vipers Sports Club announces that the contract of head Coach Beto Bianchi has been terminated with immediate effect.

“The club would like to thank Bianchi for his tireless efforts during his time at the club and wish him success in his future endeavours,” reads a brief statement from the club.

Unveiled on January 10th this year, Bianchi has been relieved of his duties in the wake of Vipers’ defeat against Simba SC on Tuesday in the CAF Champions League.

Bianchi leaves the club not only without registering a win but also with no goal scored during his six games in charge of the Venoms.

Bianchi’s Games in Charge

• Raja Casablanca 5-0 Vipers – Champions League
• Jinja North United 0(6)-0(7) Vipers – Uganda Cup
• Vipers 0-0 Horoya – Champions League
• Vipers 0-0 Wakiso Giants – Premier League
• Vipers 0-1 Simba – Champions League
• Simba 1-0 Vipers – Champions League

 

 

Uganda Cranes Head Coach Milutin Sredojevic has summoned a provisional squad for the forthcoming 2023 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers double-header against Tanzania.

The Cranes will play against Tanzania later this month with the first leg to be hosted in Ismailia, Egypt at Suez Canal Authority Stadium on 24th March.

The return leg will be played four days later at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

A squad comprised of 30 players has been named and will start preparations next week with the locally-based players summoned set to play a regional tour game against Kitara Region next week.

The Regional Tour game will be played on Friday, 17th March in Bundibugyo.

The team will enter a residential camp on Wednesday, 15th March at Cranes Paradise Hotel, Kisasi before travelling to Bundibugyo.

Selected players from the Regional Tour game will travel to Egypt on Sunday while foreign-based players summoned will join the rest of the squad in Cairo direct from their respective clubs.

The Squad

The squad has two returning players in goalkeeper Jamal Salim Magoola who has been in fine form for Richards Bay in South Africa’s Premier Soccer League, keeping 11 clean sheets.

Also returning to the team is left back cum winger Joseph Ochaya who has had an incredible run with his Egyptian side Al Mokawloon Al Arab Sporting Club (Arab Contractors), scoring five goals and making three assists.

The duo last made the Cranes squad in 2021.

The Provisional Squad

Goalkeepers – Jamal Salim Magoola (Richards Bay), Alionzi Nafian (URA), Charles Lukwago (St George), Joel Mutakubwa (Gaddafi)

Defenders – Gavin Kizito (Al Ittihad), James Begisa (URA), Aziz Kayondo (CD Leganes), Derrick Ndahiro (URA), Livingston Mulondo (Vipers), Geoffrey Wasswa (KCCA), Timothy Awany (Iron Ashdod), Halid Lwaliwa (FK Bregalnica), Kenneth Ssemakula (SC Villa), Rogers Torach (Vipers)

Midfielders – Siraje Sentamu (Vipers), Aucho Khalid (Yanga), Bobosi Byaruhanga (Austin), Steven Sserwadda (New York Red Bull II), Isma Mugulusi (Makedonikas), Allan Okello (KCCA), Farouk Miya (Caykur Rizespor)

Forwards – Emmanuel Okwi (Erbil), Rogers Mato (KCCA), Joseph Ochaya (Al Makawdoon), Travis Mutyaba (Villa), Steven Mukwala (Asante Kotoko), Fahad Bayo (MFK Vyskov), Richard Basangwa (Wadi Degla), Sadat Anaku (Dundee United), Rogers Mugisha (UPDF)

Vipers endured yet another frustrating outing after falling to Simba SC in the CAF Champions League on Tuesday at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium.

Clatous Chama’s goal at the stroke of halftime despite showing putting up a much better performance, the Venoms still fell short in their pursuit of earning the victory in the Group stage games.

Under coach Bento Bianchi, Vipers are yet to win a game or even score a goal and this stretches now to seven games.

Towards the end of the game, Nigerian forward Abubakar Lawal had a good chance to find a late equaliser but his backheel attempt was easily collected by goalie Aisha Manula.

The result means Vipers are bottom of Group C with just a point in four games. Simba on the other hand moved to second place on six points.

Raja Casablanca confirmed their place in the knockout stage after beating Horoya 3-1 to move to 12 points.